go back

Viral Culture Identification

Montana 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?

$48.98

Typical negotiated rate. In Montana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $48.98 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $45.71 from a physician practice, and about $57.54 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$45.71$30.20 to $48.98
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$57.54$48.98 to $63.10

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $58 · 10th to 90th $46 to $79Professionalmedian $46 · 10th to 90th $14 to $60
$20$50$100facility $58professional $46

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
$53.70
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$53.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$40.74
BCBS Montana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$117.49
BCBS Montana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$100.00
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$48.98
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$79.43
MountainHealth Co-op
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$61.66
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$100.00
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$48.98
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$14.13
Typical High
$33.88

Where Montana 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.

Montana· 7th of 51

$48.98

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.