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Cell Sample Smear Screening And Interpretation

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 88160

This is the laboratory screening and interpretation of cells collected on a slide from a body site other than the cervix, such as sputum, urine, or a body cavity fluid, to look for abnormal or cancerous cells. A specialist examines the sample under a microscope and provides a written interpretation. It's a cell-based evaluation, similar in concept to a Pap smear but performed on a different type of specimen.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Cell Sample Smear Screening And Interpretation cost?

$54.95

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $54.95 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $53.70 to $72.44.

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 $55 · 10th to 90th $48 to $141
$50$100$200$500professional $55

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
$16.60
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$22.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$39.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$102.33
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$70.79
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$58.88
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$72.44
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$104.71
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$43.65
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$11.75
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$67.61
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$89.13
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$47.86
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$13.49
Median
$13.49
Typical High
$13.49
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$114.82
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$14.45
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$53.70
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$70.79
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$158.49
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$457.09
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$691.83
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$199.53
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$501.19

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.5 times more in Minnesota than in Utah. 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· 40th of 51

$54.95

MN $170UT $47.86

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.