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See a sample rate comparisonCPT 87040 is classified under Pathology and Laboratory Procedures, in the Microbiology Procedures subgroup.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Microbiology Procedures |
| Common Place of Service | 21 - Inpatient Hospital 23 - Emergency Room |
| Common Modifiers | 26 - Professional component 91 - Repeat Lab Test |
| Complexity Level | Low |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | $10.32 national lab fee schedule rate (2026) · View Medicare rates for 87040 |
| Medicaid Fee Schedule | $9.755 median of the 8 states in the free preview · View Medicaid rates for 87040 |
National average reimbursement for CPT 87040 by major payers:

$10.13
BCBS / Anthem

$7.45
UnitedHealthcare

$12.65
Aetna

$15.67
Cigna
Choose a payer to see a sample of rates for CPT 87040.
Anne Marie Edmunds
Slocum Dickson Medical Group PLLC
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Slocum Dickson Medical Group PLLC
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Christopher Powers
Slocum Dickson Medical Group PLLC
Jennefer Will
Slocum Dickson Medical Group PLLC
Choose your state and specialty to build a report from payer-published rates.
Rate Benchmarking
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See a sample rate comparisonPayer Contract Negotiation
Use your fee schedule and market benchmarks to set target rates and draft a letter for your payer.
See a sample payer proposalCPT 87040 vs. Other Microbiology Procedures Codes
The table lists codes related to 87040. Select one to see its fee schedule.
| Code | Complexity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 87003-CPT | Low | Control Test For Infection, The Test Is Used To Diagnose An Infection By Injecting A Small Amount Of The Test Sample Into A Small Animal. The Animal Is Observed For Signs Of An Infection For Up To Three Weeks. |
| 87015-CPT | Low | Infection Test Concentration, This Test Method Identifies Bacteria Or Parasites That Are The Cause Of An Infection. The Sample Is Concentrated So That The Infection Organisms Collect Together. |
| 87040-CPT | Low | Blood Test Bacteria Infection, This Test Identifies Early Signs Of A Bacterial Growth And Thus Infection In A Blood Sample. Infections In The Blood (Bacteremia Or Sepsis) Can Cause Serious Illness. |
| 87045-CPT | Low | Stool Test For Bacteria, This Test Is Done To Look For The Presence Of Bacteria Which May Cause A Diarrheal Illness. A Specimen Of Fecal Material Is Submitted And The Types Of Bacteria Which Grow From That Specimen Are Analyzed. |
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 87040. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 87040 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.
Factors that affect fee schedules
Medicare & Medicaid Rates
Government-set reimbursement amounts
Private Insurance Rates
Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies
Geographic Location
Costs may be higher in urban areas.
Provider Type
Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.
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