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Pap Test Slide Screening

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 88164

Laboratory examination of cells collected from the cervix or vagina during a Pap test. A trained screener looks at the slide under a microscope, under a doctor's oversight, to find cells that look abnormal or precancerous. Findings are reported using a widely used standard format for cervical cell results.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Pap Test Slide Screening cost?

$18.62

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $18.62 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $18.62 from a physician practice, and about $38.90 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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$18.62$14.45 to $29.51
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$38.90$14.45 to $46.77

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $39 · 10th to 90th $13 to $83Professionalmedian $19 · 10th to 90th $10 to $43
$10$20$50$100facility $39professional $19

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
$12.88
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$27.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$17.38
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$46.77
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$83.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$6.92
Median
$14.13
Typical High
$25.70
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$14.79
Median
$14.79
Typical High
$14.79
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$12.88
Median
$12.88
Typical High
$21.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$30.90
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$8.91
Median
$13.49
Typical High
$25.70
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
$6.03
Median
$6.31
Typical High
$8.32
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$2.40
Median
$2.51
Typical High
$3.31
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$7.59
Median
$10.00
Typical High
$18.20

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.9 times more in Alaska than in New Jersey. 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· 29th of 51

$18.62

AK $51.29NJ $10.47

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.