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Molecular Strep Throat Test

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 87651

This laboratory test detects the genetic material of group A streptococcus bacteria, the germ that causes strep throat, using a rapid DNA-based method. It gives a more sensitive result than a traditional rapid antigen test and is typically run on a throat swab.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Molecular Strep Throat Test cost?

$27.54

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $27.54 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $26.30 from a physician practice, and about $214 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 5 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$26.30$26.30 to $38.02
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$214$41.69 to $214

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $214 · 10th to 90th $26 to $245Professionalmedian $26 · 10th to 90th $26 to $95
$20$50$100$200facility $214professional $26

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
$26.30
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$38.02
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$363.08
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$134.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$158.49
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$70.79
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$41.69
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$125.89

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 4.0 times more in West Virginia than in Vermont. 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.

Washington, DC· 50th of 51

$27.54

WV $105VT $26.30

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.