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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 October 2026.

How much does Viral Culture Identification cost?

$38.90

Typical negotiated rate. In South Dakota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $38.90 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $38.90 from a physician practice, and about $43.65 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$38.90$23.44 to $67.61
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$43.65$38.02 to $66.07

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $44 · 10th to 90th $32 to $74Professionalmedian $39 · 10th to 90th $23 to $81
$20$50$100facility $44professional $39

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
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$38.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$31.62
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$66.07
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$81.28
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$128.82
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$46.77
Sanford Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$93.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$40.74
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$33.88

Where South Dakota 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 Dakota· 16th of 51

$38.90

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.