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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Iowa 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?

$37.15

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $37.15 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $34.67 from a physician practice, and about $57.54 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 7 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$34.67$19.95 to $57.54
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$57.54$31.62 to $75.86

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $58 · 10th to 90th $26 to $214Professionalmedian $35 · 10th to 90th $17 to $174
$20$50$100$200facility $58professional $35

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
$19.95
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$389.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$173.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$63.10
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$151.36
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$125.89
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$67.61
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$34.67
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$31.62
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$60.26
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$66.07
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$26.30

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 5th of 51

$37.15

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.