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On-The-Spot Check Of A Needle Biopsy Sample

Vermont 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?

$81.28

Typical negotiated rate. In Vermont, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $81.28 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $63.10 from a physician practice, and about $178 from a hospital or other facility.

Few insurers publish rates for this combination, so treat this figure as a rough guide.

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$63.10$54.95 to $79.43
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$178$132 to $537

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $178 · 10th to 90th $132 to $537Professionalmedian $63 · 10th to 90th $44 to $95
$50$100$200$500facility $178professional $63

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
$131.83
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$537.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$91.20
BCBS Vermont
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$281.84
BCBS Vermont
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$234.42
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$154.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$81.28
MVP Health Care
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$79.43
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$165.96

Where Vermont 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.

Vermont· 11th of 51

$81.28

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.