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Cell Smear: Preparation, Screening And Interpretation

Massachusetts 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?

$107

Typical negotiated rate. In Massachusetts, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $107 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $52.48 to $195.

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 $107 · 10th to 90th $43 to $257
$50$100$200$500professional $107

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
$40.74
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$275.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$83.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$194.98
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$154.88
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$467.74
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$194.98
AllWays Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$309.03
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$72.44
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$141.25
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$51.29
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$107.15
Fallon Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$151.36
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$234.42
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$69.18
Harvard Pilgrim
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$169.82
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$154.88
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$467.74
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$194.98
Mass General Brigham
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$309.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$234.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$72.44
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$165.96

Where Massachusetts 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.

Massachusetts· 10th of 51

$107

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.