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Viral Culture Identification

Nebraska 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 Nebraska, 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 $89.13 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$20.42 to $33.88
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$89.13$51.29 to $138

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $89 · 10th to 90th $20 to $204Professionalmedian $20 · 10th to 90th $19 to $81
$20$50$100$200facility $89professional $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
$22.39
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$30.90
BCBS Nebraska
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$223.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$81.28
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$162.18
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$134.90
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$61.66
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$41.69
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$14.13
Typical High
$20.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$67.61

Where Nebraska 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.

Nebraska· 41st 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.