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Separating Selected Cells From A Tissue Sample

Iowa rates for HCPCS 88381

A laboratory preparation step in which a very small, specific group of cells is separated out from a tissue sample viewed under a microscope. Isolating those cells means that a later test measures only the area of interest instead of the surrounding normal tissue, which makes the result more reliable. It produces material for further testing rather than a diagnosis of its own.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Separating Selected Cells From A Tissue Sample cost?

$269

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $269 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $269 from a physician practice, and about $389 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$269$48.98 to $347
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$389$240 to $513

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $389 · 10th to 90th $224 to $646Professionalmedian $269 · 10th to 90th $39 to $417
$20$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $389professional $269

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$239.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$234.42
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$436.52
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$616.60
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$75.86
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$537.03
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$416.87
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$371.54
Typical High
$645.65
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$1,348.96
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$316.23
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$1,202.26
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$524.81
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$436.52
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$436.52
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$371.54
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$371.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$446.68
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$117.49
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$346.74
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$457.09
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$53.70
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$407.38

Where Iowa sits

The same service costs 6.5 times more in North Dakota 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.

Iowa· 12th of 51

$269

ND $363AL $56.23

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.