go back

HIV Viral Load Test

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 87536

This laboratory test measures the amount of HIV genetic material in a blood sample, giving a numeric result rather than just a positive or negative answer. It is used to monitor how well HIV treatment is controlling the virus and to track the infection over time.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does HIV Viral Load Test cost?

$174

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $174 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $102 from a physician practice, and about $316 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$102$66.07 to $174
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$316$240 to $490

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $316 · 10th to 90th $148 to $603Professionalmedian $102 · 10th to 90th $51 to $214
$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $316professional $102

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
$66.07
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$100.00
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$645.65
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$213.80
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$524.81
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$114.82
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$346.74
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$154.88
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$102.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$102.33
3 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
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$13.18
Typical High
$13.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$79.43

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.0 times more in Alaska than in New Jersey. 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.

South Carolina· 3rd of 51

$174

AK $191NJ $63.10

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.