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Molecular Test For An Infectious Agent

Iowa rates for HCPCS 87487

A test that searches a sample taken from the patient for the genetic material of a particular organism, rather than relying on it growing in a culture. It is used to confirm whether that organism is behind an infection.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Molecular Test For An Infectious Agent cost?

$51.29

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $51.29 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $50.12 from a physician practice, and about $75.86 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$50.12$36.31 to $95.50
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$75.86$51.29 to $110

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $76 · 10th to 90th $43 to $135Professionalmedian $50 · 10th to 90th $26 to $151
$50$100$200facility $76professional $50

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
$33.11
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$120.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$51.29
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$134.90
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$112.20
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$134.90
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$354.81
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$56.23
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$91.20
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$109.65
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$104.71
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$42.66
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
$16.60
Median
$16.60
Typical High
$25.70
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$6.61
Median
$6.61
Typical High
$10.23

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 3.3 times more in Alaska than in Delaware. 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.

Iowa· 20th of 51

$51.29

AK $95.50DE $28.84

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.