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Viral Culture Identification

Alaska rates for HCPCS 87255

This is a laboratory test that attempts to grow a virus from a patient sample in living cells, then identifies it using methods other than watching for the visible changes it causes to those cells. It is one way to confirm a viral infection, though it has largely been supplemented by faster molecular tests in many settings.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Viral Culture Identification cost?

$93.33

Typical negotiated rate. In Alaska, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $93.33 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $75.86 from a physician practice, and about $126 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$75.86$48.98 to $112
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$126$110 to $214

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $126 · 10th to 90th $34 to $245Professionalmedian $76 · 10th to 90th $34 to $151
$20$50$100$200facility $126professional $76

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$398.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$416.87
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$93.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$48.98
Moda Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$245.47
Moda Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$141.25
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$218.78
Premera BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$75.86
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$165.96
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$43.65
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$151.36

Where Alaska sits

The same service costs 3.7 times more in Alaska than in Maryland. 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.

Alaska· 1st of 51

$93.33

AK $93.33MD $25.12

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.