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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 October 2026.

How much does COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test cost?

$35.48

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $35.48 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $35.48 from a physician practice, and about $41.69 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$35.48$26.92 to $45.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$41.69$24.55 to $41.69

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $42 · 10th to 90th $24 to $42Professionalmedian $35 · 10th to 90th $19 to $46
$20$50$100facility $42professional $35

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$89.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$56.23
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$35.48
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$31.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$61.66
Johns Hopkins Employer Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$41.69
Johns Hopkins Employer Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$41.69
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$52.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$30.20
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
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 Maryland 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.

Maryland· 40th of 51

$35.48

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.