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Cell Smear: Preparation, Screening And Interpretation

Iowa rates for HCPCS 88161

Covers preparing a slide from loose cells collected from a site other than the cervix, screening it under the microscope, and the physician's interpretation of what is found. The cells may have been brushed, washed, scraped or drawn off from a body surface or a fluid. The report sets out whether the cells look normal, inflamed, infected or abnormal.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Cell Smear: Preparation, Screening And Interpretation cost?

$72.44

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $72.44 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $53.70 to $117.

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 $72 · 10th to 90th $27 to $155
$50$100$200professional $72

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
$54.95
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$89.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$21.38
Typical High
$23.99
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$48.98
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$6.03
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$40.74
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$194.98
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$75.86
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$104.71
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$131.83
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$61.66
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$91.20
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$112.20
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$467.74
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$186.21
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$309.03
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$194.98
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$95.50
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$104.71
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$138.04
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$51.29
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$89.13
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$154.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$177.83
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$100.00
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$104.71
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$186.21
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$54.95
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$131.83

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 3.5 times more in Minnesota than in Rhode Island. 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.

Iowa· 17th of 51

$72.44

MN $170RI $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.