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Virus Identification By Tissue Culture

Virginia 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?

$21.38

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $21.38 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $17.78 from a physician practice, and about $40.74 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$17.78$13.49 to $23.99
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$40.74$26.30 to $67.61

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $41 · 10th to 90th $26 to $138Professionalmedian $18 · 10th to 90th $13 to $38
$10$100$1K$10Kfacility $41professional $18

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
$57.54
Typical High
$69.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$24.55
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$128.82
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$15.49
Typical High
$19.95
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$36.31
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$102.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$38.02
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$38.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$51.29
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$53.70
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$42.66
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$7,413.10
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$10,232.93
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$31.62
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$15.49
Typical High
$27.54
2 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
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$12.30
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$3.89
Median
$4.79
Typical High
$4.90

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 41st of 51

$21.38

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.