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Viral Culture Identification

Rhode Island 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?

$35.48

Typical negotiated rate. In Rhode Island, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $35.48 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $30.20 from a physician practice, and about $41.69 from a hospital or other facility.

Few insurers publish rates for this combination, so treat this figure as a rough guide.

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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$30.20$23.44 to $48.98
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$41.69$40.74 to $45.71

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $42 · 10th to 90th $39 to $105Professionalmedian $30 · 10th to 90th $19 to $58
$20$50$100facility $42professional $30

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$35.48
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$45.71
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$67.61
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$141.25
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$40.74
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$56.23

Where Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island· 20th of 51

$35.48

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.