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Liquid-Based Cervical Cell Screening

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 88142

A cervical or vaginal cell sample collected into a preservative liquid is prepared as a thin, even layer on a slide and examined by a trained screener under a microscope. The screening looks for cells that are abnormal or show signs of infection. The slide is read by a person rather than by an automated imaging system, under a physician's supervision.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Liquid-Based Cervical Cell Screening cost?

$28.84

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $28.84 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $28.84 from a physician practice, and about $42.66 from a hospital or other facility.

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.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$28.84$18.20 to $45.71
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$42.66$19.50 to $87.10

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $43 · 10th to 90th $16 to $91Professionalmedian $29 · 10th to 90th $14 to $76
$10$20$50$100facility $43professional $29

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$52.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$32.36
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$10.23
Typical High
$28.84
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$87.10
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$79.43
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$91.20
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$48.98
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$28.18
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$16.22
Typical High
$23.99
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$48.98
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$45.71
3 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$7.94
Median
$8.13
Typical High
$12.30
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$3.16
Median
$3.24
Typical High
$4.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$28.18

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.6 times more in Vermont than in Illinois. 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· 23rd of 51

$28.84

VT $70.79IL $15.49

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.