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Fluid Cell Examination Under A Microscope

Virginia 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?

$60.26

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $60.26 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $38.90 to $67.61.

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 $60 · 10th to 90th $30 to $115
$50$100professional $60

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
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$69.18
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$56.23
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$12.02
Typical High
$23.44
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$33.88
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$81.28
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$28.84
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$54.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$114.82
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.30
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$50.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$66.07
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$117.49
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$37.15
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$81.28
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$10.96
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$10.96
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$128.82
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$53.70
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$91.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$123.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$58.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$72.44

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 32nd of 51

$60.26

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.