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Viral Culture Identification

North Carolina 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?

$32.36

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $32.36 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $30.20 from a physician practice, and about $35.48 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 7 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$30.20$26.92 to $42.66
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$35.48$29.51 to $89.13

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $35 · 10th to 90th $27 to $191Professionalmedian $30 · 10th to 90th $25 to $56
$20.0$50.0$100.0$200.0facility $35professional $30

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
$26.92
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$63.10
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$23.44
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$107.15
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$32.36
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$154.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$51.29
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$66.07
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$47.86
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$58.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$45.71
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$426.58

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina $32.36 · 37th 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.