go back

Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Maryland 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?

$19.50

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $19.50 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $17.38 to $20.89.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $18 · 10th to 90th $14 to $34Professionalmedian $19 · 10th to 90th $13 to $29
$10$20$50facility $18professional $19

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$26.30
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$23.44
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$23.44
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$33.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$64.57
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$50.12
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$21.88
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$25.70
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
$9.55
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$9.77
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$3.89
Typical High
$3.89

Where Maryland 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.

Maryland· 50th of 51

$19.50

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.