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Viral Culture Identification

Virginia 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?

$26.92

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $26.92 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $23.44 from a physician practice, and about $51.29 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$23.44$16.98 to $28.18
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$51.29$33.88 to $85.11

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $51 · 10th to 90th $32 to $155Professionalmedian $23 · 10th to 90th $17 to $47
$10$100$1K$10Kfacility $51professional $23

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
$47.86
Typical High
$91.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$34.67
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$165.96
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$25.70
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$134.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$48.98
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$50.12
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$66.07
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$69.18
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$47.86
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$10,232.93
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$10,232.93
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
$20.42
Typical High
$35.48
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
$12.59
Median
$15.49
Typical High
$15.85
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$6.17
Typical High
$6.46

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 45th of 51

$26.92

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.