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COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

Alabama rates for HCPCS 87426

This test checks a sample, usually from a nasal or throat swab, for viral proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19. It is a fast method for detecting an active infection, though it is generally considered somewhat less sensitive than molecular PCR-based testing.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test cost?

$17.78

Typical negotiated rate. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $17.78 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.92 from a physician practice, and about $10.47 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$26.92$19.05 to $45.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$10.47$10.47 to $10.47

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $10 · 10th to 90th $10 to $32Professionalmedian $27 · 10th to 90th $17 to $46
$10$20$50$100facility $10professional $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
$38.90
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$60.26
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$15.14
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.47
Median
$10.47
Typical High
$10.47
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
02 + 17 + 21 + 22 · Increased work + 24 · Unrelated visit after surgery + 31 + 34 + 41 + 49 + 52 · Reduced service + 55 · Aftercare only + 92 · Alternate lab platform
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$26.92
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$112.20
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$40.74
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$35.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$26.92
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
$22.39
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$22.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$9.12

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 4.5 times more in Alaska than in Alabama. 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.

Alabama· 51st of 51

$17.78

AK $79.43AL $17.78

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.