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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Washington, DC 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 July 2026.

How much does Virus Identification By Tissue Culture cost?

$19.50

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $19.50 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $19.50 from a physician practice, and about $43.65 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$19.50$19.50 to $19.50
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$43.65$19.50 to $95.50

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $44 · 10th to 90th $19 to $182Professionalmedian $19 · 10th to 90th $19 to $91
$10$20$50$100$200facility $44professional $19

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$181.97
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$19.50
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$288.40
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$100.00
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$204.17
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$52.48
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$95.50
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$44.67

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 3.0 times more in Nebraska than in Washington, DC. 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.

Washington, DC· 51st of 51

$19.50

NE $57.54DC $19.50

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.