Viral Culture Identification

Delaware 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?

$28.18

Typical negotiated rate. In Delaware, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $28.18 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.92 from a physician practice, and about $64.57 from a hospital or other facility.

Few insurers publish rates for this combination, so treat this figure as a rough guide.

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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed by	Who charges it	Typical	Range
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider	A doctor's office, clinic or independent provider	$26.92	$20.42 to $38.90
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department	A hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department	$64.57	$28.18 to $145

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $65 · 10th to 90th $22 to $224Professionalmedian $27 · 10th to 90th $17 to $63

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	Facility/Professional	Modifier	Typical Low	Median	Typical High
Aetna Setting Facility Modifier None Typical Low $28.18 Median $28.18 Typical High $89.13	Facility	None	$28.18	$28.18	$89.13
Aetna Setting Professional Modifier None Typical Low $17.78 Median $28.18 Typical High $30.90	Professional	None	$17.78	$28.18	$30.90
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier None Typical Low $21.88 Median $21.88 Typical High $64.57	Facility	None	$21.88	$21.88	$64.57
Cigna Setting Professional Modifier None Typical Low $20.89 Median $38.90 Typical High $302.00	Professional	None	$20.89	$38.90	$302.00
Highmark BCBS Setting Facility Modifier None Typical Low $144.54 Median $162.18 Typical High $223.87	Facility	None	$144.54	$162.18	$223.87
United Setting Professional Modifier None Typical Low $14.13 Median $20.42 Typical High $46.77	Professional	None	$14.13	$20.42	$46.77

Where Delaware 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.

Delaware· 38th of 51

$28.18

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.