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Separating Selected Cells From A Tissue Sample

South 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?

$158

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $158 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $145 from a physician practice, and about $347 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$145$97.72 to $224
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$347$219 to $759

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $347 · 10th to 90th $145 to $1,023Professionalmedian $145 · 10th to 90th $89 to $331
$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $347professional $145

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
$144.54
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$144.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$22.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$141.25
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$794.33
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$173.78
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$44.67
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$1,023.29
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$288.40
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$12.59
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$213.80
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$537.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$331.13
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$67.61
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$288.40
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$239.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$457.09
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$123.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$338.84
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
$109.65
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$165.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$66.07
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$30.90
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71

Where South 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.

South Carolina· 46th of 51

$158

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.