go back

Specialized Multi-Stain Lab Test On Tissue

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 88344

A tissue sample is treated with a specialized combination staining technique in the lab to help identify specific characteristics of the cells present, such as markers that support a cancer diagnosis. This version reflects a more complex, combination-stain method rather than a single individual stain.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Specialized Multi-Stain Lab Test On Tissue cost?

$155

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $155 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $151 from a physician practice, and about $195 from a hospital or other facility.

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.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$151$97.72 to $166
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$195$129 to $398

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $195 · 10th to 90th $107 to $603Professionalmedian $151 · 10th to 90th $59 to $263
$100$200$500facility $195professional $151

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
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$218.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$331.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$64.57
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$239.88
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$69.18
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$549.54
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$102.33
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$204.17
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$602.56
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$239.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$158.49
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$194.98
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$199.53
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$61.66
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$154.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$295.12
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$79.43
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$218.78
7 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
$61.66
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$75.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$30.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$144.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$57.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$40.74
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$40.74
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$23.44
Typical High
$40.74

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 7.1 times more in Alaska than in Alabama. 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· 34th of 51

$155

AK $417AL $58.88

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.