Smear for parasites
Medicare pricing data for 945 providers across 45 states
This procedure has a 5.2x markup — hospitals charge $45.49 but Medicare allows only $8.70. Uninsured patients may face bills 5.2 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Smear for parasites (HCPCS code 87177) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $8.70, but hospitals typically charge $45.49 — a 5.2x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $8.70, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $1.74. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 5.2x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $8.70 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $9 | $54 | 43 | 12,975 | +0.2% |
| Georgia | $9 | $61 | 5 | 171 | +0.2% |
| Illinois | $9 | $56 | 22 | 1,780 | +0.2% |
| Iowa | $9 | $38 | 6 | 218 | +0.2% |
| Kansas | $9 | $43 | 8 | 117 | +0.2% |
| Kentucky | $9 | $26 | 7 | 256 | +0.2% |
| Louisiana | $9 | $29 | 4 | 139 | +0.2% |
| Maine | $9 | $38 | 1 | 120 | +0.2% |
| Maryland | $9 | $52 | 9 | 1,709 | +0.2% |
| Massachusetts | $9 | $60 | 13 | 3,663 | +0.2% |
| Missouri | $9 | $64 | 14 | 1,164 | +0.2% |
| Nebraska | $9 | $25 | 1 | 78 | +0.2% |
| Nevada | $9 | $59 | 2 | 850 | +0.2% |
| New Mexico | $9 | $58 | 2 | 150 | +0.2% |
| North Dakota | $9 | $70 | 2 | 18 | +0.2% |
| Rhode Island | $9 | $28 | 1 | 183 | +0.2% |
| Tennessee | $9 | $44 | 11 | 1,015 | +0.2% |
| Texas | $9 | $40 | 154 | 10,633 | +0.2% |
| Utah | $9 | $55 | 5 | 42 | +0.2% |
| Wyoming | $9 | $55 | 1 | 13 | +0.2% |
| Arkansas | $9 | $28 | 19 | 37 | +0.2% |
| Connecticut | $9 | $61 | 2 | 570 | +0.2% |
| New Jersey | $9 | $38 | 18 | 23,248 | +0.1% |
| New York | $9 | $96 | 15 | 2,952 | +0.1% |
| North Carolina | $9 | $41 | 18 | 18,226 | +0.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $9 | $70 | 12 | 1,291 | +0.1% |
| Arizona | $9 | $37 | 5 | 8,328 | +0.1% |
| Colorado | $9 | $59 | 6 | 995 | +0.1% |
| California | $9 | $52 | 45 | 15,415 | 0.0% |
| Ohio | $9 | $33 | 98 | 3,624 | -0.1% |
| Virginia | $9 | $35 | 8 | 2,771 | -0.1% |
| Hawaii | $9 | $36 | 3 | 912 | -0.2% |
| Mississippi | $9 | $114 | 7 | 147 | -0.2% |
| Washington | $9 | $43 | 15 | 3,419 | -0.2% |
| Minnesota | $9 | $59 | 106 | 972 | -0.3% |
| Oregon | $9 | $25 | 7 | 968 | -0.3% |
| Wisconsin | $9 | $62 | 8 | 685 | -0.5% |
| Alabama | $9 | $36 | 38 | 4,774 | -0.5% |
| South Carolina | $9 | $42 | 8 | 52 | -0.7% |
| South Dakota | $9 | $53 | 3 | 110 | -1.3% |
| New Hampshire | $9 | $29 | 31 | 58 | -1.4% |
| Indiana | $9 | $145 | 3 | 56 | -1.5% |
| Oklahoma | $8 | $58 | 10 | 869 | -5.4% |
| Puerto Rico | $8 | $9 | 127 | 522 | -6.3% |
| Michigan | $7 | $24 | 12 | 237 | -16.7% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber