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Oral Cell Sample Lab Analysis

California rates for HCPCS D0480

Laboratory processing of a sample of cells gently collected from the surface of a sore, patch, or other area of concern in the mouth, examined under a microscope with a written report sent back to your dentist. It's a way to check unusual-looking tissue without a surgical biopsy.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Oral Cell Sample Lab Analysis cost?

$51.29

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $51.29 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $50.12 from a physician practice, and about $63.10 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$50.12$43.65 to $70.79
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$63.10$46.77 to $93.33

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $63 · 10th to 90th $43 to $891Professionalmedian $50 · 10th to 90th $40 to $105
$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $63professional $50

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
$46.77
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$54.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$46.77
Typical High
$54.95
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$57.54
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$131.83
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$398.11
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$891.25
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$891.25
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$478.63
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$102.33
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$79.43

Where California sits

The same service costs 8.1 times more in Minnesota than in Kentucky. 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.

California· 19th of 51

$51.29

MN $195KY $23.99

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.