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COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

Maryland 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 July 2026.

How much does COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test cost?

$45.71

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $45.71 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $45.71 from a physician practice, and about $35.48 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$45.71$45.71 to $83.18
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$35.48$30.20 to $45.71

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $35 · 10th to 90th $15 to $219Professionalmedian $46 · 10th to 90th $35 to $132
$10$20$50$100$200facility $35professional $46

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
$11.48
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$218.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$131.83
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$35.48
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$30.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$61.66
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$52.48
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$44.67
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$44.67
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$45.71

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 1.7 times more in Wyoming than in Oklahoma. 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.

Maryland· 21st of 51

$45.71

WY $70.79OK $40.74

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.