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COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

North Carolina 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?

$52.48

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $52.48 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $50.12 from a physician practice, and about $53.70 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 8 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$50.12$45.71 to $83.18
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$53.70$45.71 to $75.86

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $54 · 10th to 90th $31 to $151Professionalmedian $50 · 10th to 90th $43 to $105
$20$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $54professional $50

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
$30.90
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$125.89
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$69.18
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$117.49
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$50.12
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$162.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$48.98
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$380.19
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$380.19
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$54.95
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$46.77
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$165.96

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 9th of 51

$52.48

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.