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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

Minnesota 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?

$148

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $148 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $100 to $224.

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 $148 · 10th to 90th $65 to $275
$50$100$200$500professional $148

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
$25.12
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$25.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$154.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$45.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$112.20
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$295.12
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$100.00
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$194.98
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$269.15
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$177.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$60.26
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$120.23
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$213.80
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$199.53
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$81.28
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$117.49
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
$41.69
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$426.58
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$213.80
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$275.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$281.84
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$147.91
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$186.21

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 1st of 51

$148

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.