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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Colorado rates for HCPCS 87252

A laboratory test that attempts to grow a virus from a patient sample in a cell (tissue) culture, then examines the culture for changes caused by viral growth to help identify what virus is present. It is a traditional method of confirming a viral infection when other faster tests may not provide enough detail.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Virus Identification By Tissue Culture cost?

$28.84

Typical negotiated rate. In Colorado, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $28.84 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $19.95 from a physician practice, and about $75.86 from a hospital or other facility.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$19.95$17.78 to $26.30
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$75.86$47.86 to $91.20

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $76 · 10th to 90th $20 to $120Professionalmedian $20 · 10th to 90th $15 to $48
$10$20$50$100$200facility $76professional $20

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$120.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$38.90
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$120.23
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$53.70
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$79.43
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.49
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$38.02
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$52.48
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$102.33
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$54.95
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$26.30
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$31.62
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$19.50
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$10.00
Typical High
$13.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$3.98
Typical High
$5.25

Where Colorado sits

The same service costs 6.0 times more in Alaska than in Alabama. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Colorado· 19th of 51

$28.84

AK $66.07AL $10.96

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.