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Chromosome Sister-Strand Exchange Study

California rates for HCPCS 88245

Cells from a sample are grown in the laboratory until they divide, and their chromosomes are then examined to count how often the two matching strands of a chromosome have swapped pieces with each other. Everyone shows some of this swapping; a count well above the usual range points to an inherited condition in which cells cannot keep their DNA in good repair, such as Bloom syndrome. A finding like that leads on to targeted genetic testing and to regular checks of blood counts and general health.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Chromosome Sister-Strand Exchange Study cost?

$240

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $240 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $162 from a physician practice, and about $437 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 12 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$162$132 to $339
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$437$302 to $871

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $437 · 10th to 90th $170 to $1,585Professionalmedian $162 · 10th to 90th $102 to $1,096
$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $437professional $162

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
$245.47
Median
$630.96
Typical High
$1,698.24
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$1,148.15
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$870.96
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$446.68
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$2,089.30
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$309.03
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$630.96
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$524.81
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$234.42
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$331.13
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$831.76
Typical High
$831.76
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$1,288.25
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$173.78
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$467.74
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$416.87
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$602.56
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$602.56
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$2,290.87
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$208.93
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$407.38

Where California sits

The same service costs 3.4 times more in Alaska than in Delaware. 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.

California· 9th of 51

$240

AK $389DE $115

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.