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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

Maryland 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 Maryland, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $61.66 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $50.12 to $70.79.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $62 · 10th to 90th $38 to $129
$20$50$100professional $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
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$15.14
Typical High
$20.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$77.62
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$95.50
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$74.13
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$26.30
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$50.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$109.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$0.31
Median
$15.49
Typical High
$44.67
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$0.62
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$75.86
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$134.90
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$58.88
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$93.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$131.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$57.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$75.86
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$141.25
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$42.66
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$97.72

Where Maryland 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.

Maryland· 29th 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.