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Viral Culture Identification

Minnesota 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 July 2026.

How much does Viral Culture Identification cost?

$33.88

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $33.88 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $33.88 from a physician practice, and about $91.20 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$33.88$31.62 to $38.90
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$91.20$33.88 to $135

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $91 · 10th to 90th $34 to $251Professionalmedian $34 · 10th to 90th $27 to $50
$20.0$50.0$100.0$200.0facility $91professional $34

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$46.77
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$77.62
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$33.88
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$316.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$66.07
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$251.19
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$66.07
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$162.18
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$72.44
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$104.71
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$75.86

Where Minnesota sits

The same service costs 3.0 times more in Alaska than in Washington, DC. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Minnesota $33.88 · 32nd of 51
AK $75.86DC $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.