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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 October 2026.

How much does Virus Identification By Tissue Culture cost?

$31.62

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $31.62 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.30 from a physician practice, and about $46.77 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$26.30$20.42 to $53.70
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$46.77$31.62 to $69.18

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $47 · 10th to 90th $26 to $81Professionalmedian $26 · 10th to 90th $15 to $68
$20$50$100facility $47professional $26

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
$20.42
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$74.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$39.81
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$63.10
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$147.91
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$125.89
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$67.61
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$34.67
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$31.62
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$66.07
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$36.31
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$26.30

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 13th of 51

$31.62

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.