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Viral Culture Identification

Missouri 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?

$40.74

Typical negotiated rate. In Missouri, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $40.74 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $33.11 from a physician practice, and about $66.07 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$33.11$20.42 to $69.18
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$66.07$44.67 to $115

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $66 · 10th to 90th $33 to $162Professionalmedian $33 · 10th to 90th $17 to $71
$20$50$100$200facility $66professional $33

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
$28.84
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$61.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$35.48
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$154.88
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$85.11
BCBS Kansas City
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$128.82
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$194.98
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$72.44
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$162.18
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$30.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$45.71
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
$14.45
Median
$14.45
Typical High
$19.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.75
Median
$5.75
Typical High
$7.76

Where Missouri 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.

Missouri· 13th of 51

$40.74

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.