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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

North Carolina 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?

$20.89

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $20.89 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $19.50 from a physician practice, and about $27.54 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$19.50$12.02 to $23.44
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$27.54$20.89 to $61.66

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $28 · 10th to 90th $21 to $91Professionalmedian $19 · 10th to 90th $11 to $36
$10$20$50$100facility $28professional $19

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
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$42.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$30.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$10.47
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$11.22
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.17
Median
$4.17
Typical High
$4.47
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$18.20
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$72.44
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$23.44
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$117.49
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.49
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$39.81
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$102.33
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$33.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$47.86
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$26.30

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 43rd of 51

$20.89

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.