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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Minnesota 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?

$30.20

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $30.20 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.30 from a physician practice, and about $110 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$26.30$21.88 to $31.62
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$110$26.30 to $162

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $110 · 10th to 90th $25 to $170Professionalmedian $26 · 10th to 90th $18 to $51
$10$20$50$100$200facility $110professional $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
$24.55
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$45.71
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$104.71
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$26.30
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$245.47
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$51.29
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$194.98
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$50.12
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$125.89
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$54.95
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$31.62
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$61.66
4 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$12.30
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$4.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$15.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.90
Median
$4.90
Typical High
$6.31

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 15th of 51

$30.20

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.