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COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

Virginia 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 Virginia, 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 $48.98 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$35.48$24.55 to $45.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$48.98$42.66 to $100

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $49 · 10th to 90th $33 to $240Professionalmedian $35 · 10th to 90th $20 to $56
$20$100$500$2K$10Kfacility $49professional $35

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
$56.23
Typical High
$123.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$66.07
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$281.84
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$35.48
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$45.71
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$85.11
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$46.77
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$52.48
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$69.18
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$37.15
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$208.93
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$4,570.88
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$44.67
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 Virginia 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.

Virginia· 37th 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.