go back

Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Montana 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?

$38.02

Typical negotiated rate. In Montana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $38.02 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $34.67 from a physician practice, and about $44.67 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$34.67$23.44 to $38.02
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$44.67$38.02 to $47.86

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $45 · 10th to 90th $35 to $58Professionalmedian $35 · 10th to 90th $11 to $45
$10$20$50$100facility $45professional $35

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$38.90
BCBS Montana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$91.20
BCBS Montana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$34.67
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$38.02
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$57.54
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$47.86
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$77.62
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$38.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$26.30

Where Montana 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.

Montana· 7th of 51

$38.02

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.