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On-The-Spot Check Of A Needle Biopsy Sample

Maryland rates for HCPCS 88172

When a fine needle is used to collect cells from a lump or lesion, a specialist can examine the sample immediately while the patient is still present to confirm that enough material was collected to make a diagnosis. This on-the-spot check helps avoid the need to repeat the needle sampling on a separate visit if the first attempt didn't collect enough material.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does On-The-Spot Check Of A Needle Biopsy Sample cost?

$47.86

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $47.86 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $42.66 to $54.95.

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

Facilitymedian $55 · 10th to 90th $44 to $68Professionalmedian $48 · 10th to 90th $32 to $87
$50$100facility $55professional $48

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
$43.65
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$102.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$63.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$37.15
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$51.29
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$30.90
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$20.42
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$131.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$63.10
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$10.23
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$43.65
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$89.13
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$60.26
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$37.15
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$114.82
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$74.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$16.22
Typical High
$50.12
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$89.13
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$52.48
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$36.31
2 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
$21.38
Median
$21.88
Typical High
$23.99
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$8.51
Median
$8.71
Typical High
$9.55

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 3.2 times more in Wisconsin than in Nevada. 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.

Maryland· 45th of 51

$47.86

WI $112NV $34.67

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.