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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

Pennsylvania 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?

$53.70

Typical negotiated rate. In Pennsylvania, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $53.70 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 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $54 · 10th to 90th $44 to $117
$50$100$200$500professional $54

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
$22.91
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$64.57
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$112.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$72.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$66.07
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$128.82
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$69.18
Capital Blue Cross
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$75.86
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
$28.84
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$95.50
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$42.66
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$57.54
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$125.89
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$38.02
Emblem Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$87.10
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$138.04
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$61.66
Geisinger
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$93.33
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$45.71
Martin's Point
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$64.57
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$112.20
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$69.18
Martin's Point
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$67.61
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$117.49
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$67.61
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$33.11
UPMC Health Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$40.74
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$123.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$72.44

Where Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania· 42nd of 51

$53.70

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.