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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Kentucky 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?

$22.91

Typical negotiated rate. In Kentucky, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $22.91 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $20.89 from a physician practice, and about $33.88 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$20.89$13.80 to $23.99
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$33.88$26.30 to $66.07

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $34 · 10th to 90th $21 to $204Professionalmedian $21 · 10th to 90th $13 to $39
$10$20$50$100$200facility $34professional $21

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
$21.38
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$288.40
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$38.90
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$27.54
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$36.31
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$36.31
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$52.48
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$61.66
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$173.78
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$95.50
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$36.31

Where Kentucky 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.

Kentucky· 48th of 51

$22.91

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.