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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 88104

This is a laboratory examination of individual cells collected from a body fluid, such as fluid drained from around the lungs or abdomen, or a washing or brushing taken during a procedure, looking for abnormal or cancerous cells under a microscope. Unlike testing a solid piece of tissue, this looks at cells that are free-floating in a liquid sample. A specialist prepares the sample onto slides and interprets what is seen.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope cost?

$61.66

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $61.66 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $53.70 to $61.66.

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.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $62 · 10th to 90th $51 to $65
$20$50$100$200professional $62

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
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$61.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$21.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$38.90
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$72.44
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$27.54
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$48.98
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$281.84
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$16.22
Typical High
$93.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$165.96
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$177.83
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$58.88
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$117.49
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$173.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$147.91
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$114.82

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 3.2 times more in Minnesota 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.

Washington, DC· 31st of 51

$61.66

MN $148OK $46.77

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.