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Separating Selected Cells From A Tissue Sample

North Carolina 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?

$186

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $186 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $182 from a physician practice, and about $263 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$182$102 to $316
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$263$158 to $575

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $263 · 10th to 90th $151 to $759Professionalmedian $182 · 10th to 90th $98 to $339
$100$200$500$1Kfacility $263professional $182

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
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$269.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$354.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$47.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$245.47
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$44.67
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$501.19
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$501.19
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$107.15
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$295.12
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$758.58
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$338.84
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.02
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$263.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$371.54
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$208.93
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$323.59
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$79.43
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$213.80
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$323.59
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$13.18
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$61.66
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$251.19
5 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
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$165.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$66.07
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$45.71
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$45.71
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$45.71

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina· 31st of 51

$186

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.