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Viral Culture Identification

South 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 October 2026.

How much does Viral Culture Identification cost?

$33.88

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $33.88 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $33.88 from a physician practice, and about $56.23 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$33.88$30.20 to $46.77
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$56.23$33.88 to $100

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $56 · 10th to 90th $26 to $186Professionalmedian $34 · 10th to 90th $21 to $55
$20$50$100$200facility $56professional $34

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
$26.30
Typical High
$53.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$32.36
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$61.66
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$147.91
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$54.95
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$208.93
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$42.66
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$158.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$39.81
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$40.74
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$40.74
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$13.18
Typical High
$13.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$5.25
Typical High
$5.37

Where South Carolina 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.

South Carolina· 24th of 51

$33.88

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.