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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

North Carolina 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?

$51.29

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $51.29 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $51.29 to $69.18.

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 $51 · 10th to 90th $45 to $115
$50$100$200$500professional $51

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
$18.20
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$25.12
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$21.38
Typical High
$43.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$50.12
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$60.26
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$114.82
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$66.07
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$95.50
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$53.70
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$10.96
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$112.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$64.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$64.57
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$169.82
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$676.08
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$218.78
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$457.09

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 46th of 51

$51.29

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.