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Viral Culture Identification

Ohio 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?

$33.11

Typical negotiated rate. In Ohio, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $33.11 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.92 from a physician practice, and about $51.29 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 9 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$26.92$20.42 to $32.36
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$51.29$35.48 to $97.72

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $51 · 10th to 90th $28 to $110Professionalmedian $27 · 10th to 90th $17 to $72
$20$50$100$200facility $51professional $27

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
$28.18
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$109.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$95.50
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$23.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$61.66
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$43.65
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$38.90
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$138.04
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$64.57
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$138.04
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$56.23
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$40.74
SummaCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$67.61
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$46.77

Where Ohio sits

The same service costs 3.0 times more in Alaska than in Washington, DC. 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.

Ohio· 33rd of 51

$33.11

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.