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Viral Culture Identification

Tennessee 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?

$28.84

Typical negotiated rate. In Tennessee, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $28.84 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $22.39 to $45.71.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $66 · 10th to 90th $25 to $120Professionalmedian $27 · 10th to 90th $15 to $46
$20$50$100facility $66professional $27

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
$25.12
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$52.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$40.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$13.49
Typical High
$20.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$5.37
Typical High
$8.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$20.89
BCBS Tennessee
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$45.71
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$134.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$48.98
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$42.66

Where Tennessee 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.

Tennessee· 37th of 51

$28.84

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.