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Viral Culture Identification

California 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 July 2026.

Facilitymedian $98 · 10th–90th $30$3890%5%10%10th90th$98Professionalmedian $35 · 10th–90th $20$1230%10%20%10th90th$35$10.0$50.0$200.0$1.0K$5.0K

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Facility and professional rates are different services and are charted separately. Need provider-level prices? Contact us.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$389.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$223.87
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$23.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$169.82
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$100.00
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$467.74
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$97.72
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$123.03
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$85.11
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$53.70
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$75.86
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$426.58
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$40.74
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$100.00
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$85.11
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$117.49
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$70.79