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Pathologist Review of a Needle Aspiration Sample

Tennessee 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?

$129

Typical negotiated rate. In Tennessee, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $129 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $129 from a physician practice, and about $263 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 6 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$129$107 to $166
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$263$263 to $263

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $263 · 10th to 90th $66 to $1,000Professionalmedian $129 · 10th to 90th $87 to $295
$100$200$500$1Kfacility $263professional $129

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. 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
Global
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$229.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$194.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$97.72
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$186.21
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$79.43
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$61.66
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$251.19
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$123.03
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$128.82
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$123.03
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$64.57
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$257.04
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$134.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$128.82
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$1,000.00
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$436.52
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,949.84
Median
$1,949.84
Typical High
$1,949.84
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$537.03
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$891.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$302.00
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$141.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$141.25

Where Tennessee 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.

Tennessee· 43rd of 51

$129

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.