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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 October 2026.

How much does Virus Identification By Tissue Culture cost?

$22.39

Typical negotiated rate. In Kentucky, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $22.39 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $21.88 from a physician practice, and about $26.30 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$21.88$13.18 to $30.20
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$26.30$21.88 to $50.12

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $26 · 10th to 90th $17 to $50Professionalmedian $22 · 10th to 90th $13 to $36
$10$20$50$100facility $26professional $22

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
$16.98
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$28.18
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$27.54
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$36.31
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$36.31
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$52.48
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$54.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$173.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$36.31
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
$8.51
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$13.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$3.39
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$5.25

Where Kentucky 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.

Kentucky· 36th of 51

$22.39

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.