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Legionella Fluorescent Antigen Test

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 87278

A laboratory test that looks for Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium behind Legionnaires' disease, in a sample taken from the lungs or airway. The sample is treated with antibodies carrying a fluorescent tag and examined under a special microscope, so the bacteria glow if they are present. It is used when a severe pneumonia may be caused by this organism.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Legionella Fluorescent Antigen Test cost?

$12.88

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $12.88 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $12.59 from a physician practice, and about $48.98 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$12.59$11.48 to $13.80
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$48.98$13.80 to $170

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $49 · 10th to 90th $13 to $170Professionalmedian $13 · 10th to 90th $8 to $20
$10.0$50.0$200.0$1.0Kfacility $49professional $13

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
$12.59
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$11.22
Median
$12.59
Typical High
$20.42
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$48.98
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$14.13
Typical High
$15.14
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.72
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$70.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.24
Median
$8.71
Typical High
$20.89
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.00
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$50.12
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.00
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$22.39
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$9.33
Median
$9.33
Typical High
$10.23
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.76
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$20.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$7.08
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$16.60
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$89.13

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 2.3 times more in North Dakota than in Florida. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

North Carolina $12.88 · 41st of 51
ND $26.30FL $11.22

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.