go back

Viral Culture Identification

New Jersey 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?

$26.30

Typical negotiated rate. In New Jersey, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $26.30 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $23.44 from a physician practice, and about $77.62 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$23.44$22.91 to $28.84
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$77.62$30.20 to $166

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $78 · 10th to 90th $26 to $380Professionalmedian $23 · 10th to 90th $18 to $39
$20$50$100$200$500facility $78professional $23

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
$26.30
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$47.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$40.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$13.18
Typical High
$19.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$7.76
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$20.89
AmeriHealth
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$537.03
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$165.96
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$93.33
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.76
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$19.95
Horizon BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$269.15
Horizon BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$23.44
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
$20.42
Typical High
$36.31

Where New Jersey 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.

New Jersey· 48th of 51

$26.30

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.