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Viral Culture Identification

Maine 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?

$27.54

Typical negotiated rate. In Maine, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $27.54 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $20.42 from a physician practice, and about $44.67 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$20.42$16.60 to $27.54
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$44.67$33.88 to $50.12

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $45 · 10th to 90th $33 to $282Professionalmedian $20 · 10th to 90th $13 to $48
$20$50$100$200facility $45professional $20

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
$27.54
Typical High
$27.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$27.54
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$302.00
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$21.88
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$48.98
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$81.28
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$27.54
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$27.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$81.28

Where Maine 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.

Maine· 39th of 51

$27.54

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.