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COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

Arkansas 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?

$38.90

Typical negotiated rate. In Arkansas, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $38.90 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $44.67 from a physician practice, and about $35.48 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$44.67$26.92 to $45.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$35.48$35.48 to $45.71

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $35 · 10th to 90th $35 to $48Professionalmedian $45 · 10th to 90th $19 to $54
$20$50facility $35professional $45

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
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$58.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$50.12
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$64.57
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$47.86
BCBS Arkansas
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$35.48
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$66.07
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$51.29
Qualchoice
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$74.13
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$35.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$47.86
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 Arkansas 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.

Arkansas· 30th of 51

$38.90

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.