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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Tennessee 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?

$21.88

Typical negotiated rate. In Tennessee, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $21.88 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $16.98 to $35.48.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $49 · 10th to 90th $19 to $93Professionalmedian $20 · 10th to 90th $12 to $35
$10$20$50$100facility $49professional $20

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
$19.50
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$39.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$34.67
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$15.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$4.07
Typical High
$6.31
BCBS Tennessee
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.49
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$35.48
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$102.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$38.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$33.11
1 more rate 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
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
90 · Outside lab
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$13.18
Typical High
$13.18

Where Tennessee 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.

Tennessee· 38th of 51

$21.88

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.