go back

Viral Culture Identification

Maryland 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?

$25.12

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $25.12 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $21.38 to $26.92.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $23 · 10th to 90th $18 to $44Professionalmedian $25 · 10th to 90th $17 to $36
$20$50facility $23professional $25

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
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$30.90
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$30.20
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$43.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$83.18
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$28.18
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
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
$12.59
Typical High
$12.59
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.01
Median
$5.13
Typical High
$5.13

Where Maryland 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.

Maryland· 51st of 51

$25.12

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.