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Cell Count in Spinal or Joint Fluid

Connecticut rates for HCPCS 89050

A laboratory count of the cells in a body fluid other than blood, such as spinal fluid, joint fluid or fluid drawn from around the lung or abdomen. A raised count points towards infection, inflammation or bleeding in that space.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Cell Count in Spinal or Joint Fluid cost?

$4.47

Typical negotiated rate. In Connecticut, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4.47 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $4.27 from a physician practice, and about $8.71 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 6 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$4.27$4.17 to $4.47
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$8.71$6.46 to $13.80

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $9 · 10th to 90th $5 to $18Professionalmedian $4 · 10th to 90th $3 to $6
$2.0$5.0$10.0$20.0$50.0$100.0$200.0facility $9professional $4

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
$4.68
Median
$8.71
Typical High
$19.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.16
Median
$4.27
Typical High
$5.01
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5.13
Median
$7.41
Typical High
$12.88
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.34
Median
$2.88
Typical High
$7.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.31
Median
$7.76
Typical High
$19.05
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3.09
Median
$5.50
Typical High
$7.59
ConnectiCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.24
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$11.48
Health New England
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$51.29
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$4.68
Median
$4.68
Typical High
$10.47
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2.34
Median
$4.37
Typical High
$8.32

Where Connecticut sits

The same service costs 4.5 times more in North Carolina than in Washington, DC. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Connecticut $4.47 · 45th of 51
NC $15.85DC $3.55

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.