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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

Iowa 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?

$79.43

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $79.43 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $54.95 to $117.

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.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $79 · 10th to 90th $46 to $166
$50$100$200professional $79

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
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$39.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$89.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$107.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$39.81
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$190.55
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$83.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$109.65
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$234.42
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$173.78
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$85.11
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$123.03
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$426.58
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$213.80
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$275.42
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$194.98
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$107.15
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$112.20
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$131.83
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$57.54
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$75.86
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$158.49
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$181.97
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$109.65
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$107.15
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$190.55
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$60.26
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$125.89

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 15th of 51

$79.43

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.