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Viral Culture Identification

Illinois 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?

$26.30

Typical negotiated rate. In Illinois, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $26.30 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.30 from a physician practice, and about $72.44 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$26.30$20.42 to $27.54
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$72.44$45.71 to $112

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $72 · 10th to 90th $38 to $186Professionalmedian $26 · 10th to 90th $3 to $46
$5$10$20$50$100$200$500facility $72professional $26

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
$28.18
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$102.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$52.48
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$20.89
BCBS Illinois
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$346.74
BCBS Illinois
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3.47
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$26.30
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$141.25
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$60.26
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$151.36
Hally Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$100.00
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$43.65
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$36.31
4 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$51.29
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.50
Median
$9.77
Typical High
$20.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$16.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.50
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$6.76

Where Illinois 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.

Illinois· 49th of 51

$26.30

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.