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Viral Culture Identification

South Dakota 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?

$38.90

Typical negotiated rate. In South Dakota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $38.90 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $31.62 from a physician practice, and about $66.07 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 6 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$31.62$29.51 to $67.61
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$66.07$66.07 to $191

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $66 · 10th to 90th $39 to $195Professionalmedian $32 · 10th to 90th $23 to $89
$20.0$50.0$100.0facility $66professional $32

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
$38.90
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$31.62
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$66.07
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$81.28
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$128.82
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$46.77
Sanford Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$93.33
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$40.74
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$46.77
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$33.88

Where South Dakota sits

The same service costs 3.0 times more in Alaska than in Washington, DC. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

South Dakota $38.90 · 19th of 51
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.