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Pathologist Review of a Needle Aspiration Sample

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 88173

This is the laboratory service in which a pathologist examines cells collected during a fine-needle aspiration, a procedure where a thin needle draws a small sample of cells from a lump or area of concern. The pathologist interprets what is seen under the microscope and issues a written report.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Pathologist Review of a Needle Aspiration Sample cost?

$135

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $135 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $135 from a physician practice, and about $135 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$135$120 to $178
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$135$93.33 to $151

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $135 · 10th to 90th $50 to $224Professionalmedian $135 · 10th to 90th $78 to $269
$10$20$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $135professional $135

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
Global
Typical Low
$10.00
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$204.17
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$251.19
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$154.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$177.83
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$181.97
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$123.03
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$128.82
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$131.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$239.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$120.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$128.82
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$234.42
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$131.83
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$263.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$63.10
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$251.19
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$125.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$128.82
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$1,000.00
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$436.52
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,949.84
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$1,949.84
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$537.03
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$891.25

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.5 times more in South Dakota than in Oklahoma. 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· 35th of 51

$135

SD $380OK $110

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.