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Cell Smear: Preparation, Screening And Interpretation

Minnesota 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?

$170

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $170 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $105 to $245.

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 $170 · 10th to 90th $74 to $309
$50$100$200$500professional $170

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
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$23.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$275.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$75.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$194.98
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$309.03
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$91.20
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$218.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$245.47
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$186.21
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$54.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$131.83
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$194.98
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$407.38
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$199.53
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$204.17
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
$41.69
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$467.74
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$186.21
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$309.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$288.40
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$125.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$204.17

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 1st of 51

$170

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.