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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Pennsylvania 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?

$23.99

Typical negotiated rate. In Pennsylvania, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $23.99 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $22.39 from a physician practice, and about $41.69 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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$22.39$20.42 to $26.30
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$41.69$26.30 to $87.10

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $42 · 10th to 90th $21 to $182Professionalmedian $22 · 10th to 90th $15 to $38
$10$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $42professional $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
$20.89
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$69.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$25.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$11.75
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.07
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.68
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$5,011.87
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$25.70
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$63.10
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$38.02
Geisinger
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$26.30
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$38.90
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$169.82
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$20.89
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$75.86
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$24.55
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$10.47
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$10.96
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$4.27
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$4.47
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$144.54
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$37.15
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$31.62
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$45.71

Where Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania· 34th of 51

$23.99

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.