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Viral Culture Identification

Indiana 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?

$26.92

Typical negotiated rate. In Indiana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $26.92 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $23.44 from a physician practice, and about $33.88 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$23.44$15.85 to $33.88
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$33.88$33.11 to $69.18

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $34 · 10th to 90th $27 to $107Professionalmedian $23 · 10th to 90th $16 to $60
$20$50$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $34professional $23

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
$27.54
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$125.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$138.04
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$23.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$102.33
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$46.77
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$42.66
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$112.20
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$93.33
Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$2,187.76
Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$30.90
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$40.74
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
$12.59
Median
$13.80
Typical High
$69.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$27.54

Where Indiana 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.

Indiana· 47th of 51

$26.92

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.