Biopsy pathology exam cost in Kentucky
In Kentucky, 75 hospitals publish a cash price for biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV): from $41.02 to $3,603.54, with a median of $119.60. The lowest price is at University of Kentucky Hospital (Lexington). The highest price is 87.8× the lowest.
- The median here, $119.60, is 30% below the US median of $170.33.
- That is 2.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($53.24).
- Kentucky ranks 14th of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
- 5 of 75 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 88305. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 11, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$41.02University of Kentucky Hospital
Median$119.60half of hospitals charge less
Highest$3,603.54in Kentucky
Lowest saves$78.58vs the median
Hospitals in Kentucky, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky Hospital lowest Lexington · Lexington-Fayette, KY Hc Comprehensive Muscle Biopsy Workup 2013260 #1-So+ | $41.02 | $102.56 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Rockcastle County Hospital Mount Vernon · Richmond-Berea, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $42.56 | $56.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services Salem · Paducah, KY-IL Bill Only 88305 Surg Path Level IV | $46.35 | $77.25 | Aug 25, 2026 source file |
| Spring View Hospital Lebanon · Lebanon, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $46.86 | $117.14 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| The Medical Center at Bowling Green Bowling Green · Bowling Green, KY G&M EXAM MUL/COMP SURG PTH IV | $62.29 | $120.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville Madisonville · Madisonville, KY HC TISSUE LEVEL IV | $64.79 | $498.37 | Feb 3, 2026 source file |
| Ohio County Hospital Hartford · Hartford, KY TC BIOPSY LEVEL 4 | $70.00 | $140.00 | Jan 12, 2026 source file |
| The Medical Center at Albany Albany · Albany, KY G&M EXAM MUL/COMP SURG PTH IV | $72.00 | $120.00 | Jul 1, 2024 source file |
| The Medical Center at Caverna Horse Cave · Horse Cave, KY TISSUE-MULT/COMPL REF | $72.00 | $120.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Medical Center at Scottsville Scottsville · Bowling Green, KY G&M EXAM MUL/COMP SURG PTH IV | $72.00 | $120.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Joseph Mount Sterling Mt. Sterling · Mount Sterling, KY HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $72.52 | $192.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Jennie Stuart Medical Center Hopkinsville · Clarksville, TN-KY HC TISSUE LEVEL IV | $81.27 | $262.15 | Feb 12, 2026 source file |
| Fleming County Hospital Flemingsburg · Flemingsburg, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $82.40 | $206.01 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| The Medical Center at Russellville Russellville · Russellville, KY PATH EXAM IV | $83.40 | $139.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Marcum and Wallace Memorial Hospital Irvine · Richmond-Berea, KY HC So Tissue Level IV | $84.00 | $140.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Middlesboro Arh Hospital Middlesboro · Middlesborough, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $84.60 | $141.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Bluegrass Community Hospital Versailles · Lexington-Fayette, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $88.05 | $220.13 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Whitesburg Arh Hospital Whitesburg · Whitesburg, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $88.20 | $147.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Wayne County Hospital Monticello · Monticello, KY PATH IV 88305 | $91.07 | $140.10 | Sep 14, 2026 source file |
| Deaconess Union County Hospital Morganfield · Morganfield, KY HC TISSUE LEVEL 4 ADD SAMPLES | $92.59 | $197.00 | Feb 13, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital Paducah · Paducah, KY-IL HC Tissue Level IV | $93.60 | $156.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Tug Valley Appalachian Regional Healthcare Regional Medical Center South Williamson · Pikeville, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $95.40 | $159.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Monroe County Medical Center Tompkinsville · Tompkinsville, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $95.87 | $115.50 | Oct 8, 2026 source file |
| Hazard Appalachian Regional Healthcare Regional Medical Center Hazard · Hazard, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $96.60 | $161.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Knox County Hospital Barbourville · Corbin, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $101.40 | $169.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Bourbon Community Hospital Paris · Lexington-Fayette, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $103.45 | $258.63 | Jul 11, 2026 source file |
| Pineville Community Health Center Pineville · Middlesborough, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $108.90 | $108.90 | Jan 24, 2026 source file |
| Arh Our Lady of the Way Martin · Pikeville, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $110.40 | $184.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Harlan Arh Hospital Harlan · Harlan, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $110.40 | $184.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Highlands Arh Regional Medical Center Prestonsburg · Pikeville, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $110.40 | $184.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Morgan County Arh Hospital West Liberty · West Liberty, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $110.40 | $184.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Paintsville Arh Hospital Paintsville · Paintsville, KY PATH LEVEL IV | $110.40 | $184.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| King's Daughters' Medical Center Ashland · Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH HCHG GROSS&MICRO 88305 | $114.61 | $286.52 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Harrison Memorial Hospital Cynthiana · Cynthiana, KY PATHOLOGY EXAMINATION OF TISSUE USING A MICROSCOPE; INTERMEDIATE COMPLEXITY | $114.98 | $164.25 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Norton Audubon Hospital Louisville · Louisville, KY HB MSO-LEVEL IV GROSS/MICRO | $119.60 | $598.00 | Feb 11, 2026 source file |
| Norton Brownsboro Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN HB PATH LVL IV/88305 | $119.60 | $598.00 | Feb 11, 2026 source file |
| Norton Children's Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN HB PATH LVL IV/88305 | $119.60 | $598.00 | Feb 11, 2026 source file |
| Norton Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN HB PATH LVL IV/88305 | $119.60 | $598.00 | Feb 11, 2026 source file |
| Norton West Louisville Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN HB PATH LVL IV/88305 | $119.60 | $598.00 | Feb 11, 2026 source file |
| Norton Women's and Kosair Children's Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN HB PATH LVL IV/88305 | $119.60 | $598.00 | Feb 13, 2026 source file |
| Saint Joseph London London · Corbin, KY HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $124.92 | $356.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Georgetown Community Hospital Georgetown · Lexington-Fayette, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $125.88 | $314.69 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| University of Louisville Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN SURGICAL PATH GROSS AND MICRO EXA | $128.64 | $536.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Casey County Hospital Liberty · Liberty, KY TISSUE EX PATHOLIGIS | $129.68 | $162.10 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN TISSUE EXAM PATHOLOGIST LEVEL4 | $133.20 | $370.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Kentucky River Medical Center Jackson · Jackson, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $135.55 | $225.91 | Sep 17, 2026 source file |
| CHI Saint Joseph Flaget Memorial Hospital Bardstown · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $150.23 | $356.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| UofL Health - Jewish Hospital and Mary & Elizabeth Hospital Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN LEVEL IV-SURG PATH GROSS/MICRO 4 | $173.70 | $386.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| UofL Health-Louisville – South Hospital Shepherdville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN LEVEL IV-SURG PATH GROSS/MICRO 4 | $173.70 | $386.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Carroll County Memorial Hospital Carrollton · Carrollton, KY PATH LVL IV | $178.20 | $297.00 | Aug 17, 2026 source file |
| Saint Joseph East Lexington · Lexington-Fayette, KY HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $186.86 | $445.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| CHI Saint Joseph Berea Nf Berea · Richmond-Berea, KY HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $191.86 | $396.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| T J Samson Community Hospital Glasgow · Glasgow, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $195.00 | $300.00 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| Tj Health Columbia Columbia · Columbia, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $195.00 | $300.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Continuing Care Hospital Lexington · Lexington-Fayette, KY HC LAB SURG/PATH-LEVEL IV | $197.32 | $445.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Saint Joseph Hospital Lexington · Lexington-Fayette, KY HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $211.33 | $445.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| St Elizabeth Edgewood Edgewood · Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN HB CYTO CELL BLOCK/PATH | $214.54 | $214.54 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UofL Health -Shelbyville Shelbyville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN LEVEL IV-SURG PATH GROSS/MICRO 4 | $220.02 | $579.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| AdventHealth Manchester Manchester · Corbin, KY HC SURGICAL PATHOLOGY LEVEL IV | $220.95 | $220.95 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Clark Regional Medical Center Winchester · Lexington-Fayette, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $225.60 | $563.99 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Saint Joseph Hospital Nicholasville · Lexington-Fayette, KY HC Lab Surg/Path-Level IV | $238.70 | $445.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Three Rivers Medical Center Louisa · Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $244.92 | $408.20 | Sep 17, 2026 source file |
| Murray-Calloway County Public Hospital Murray · Murray, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $295.75 | $455.00 | Sep 9, 2026 source file |
| St Claire Medical Center Morehead · Morehead, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $319.50 | $426.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Meadowview Regional Medical Center Maysville · Maysville, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $360.84 | $902.11 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Corbin Corbin · Corbin, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Hardin Elizabethtown · Elizabethtown, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health LaGrange La Grange · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Lexington Lexington · Lexington-Fayette, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 28, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Louisville Louisville · Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Paducah Paducah · Paducah, KY-IL Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 28, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Richmond Richmond · Richmond-Berea, KY Pathology examination of tissue using a microscope, intermediate complexity | $370.57 | $494.09 | Sep 28, 2026 source file |
| Frankfort Regional Medical Center Frankfort · Frankfort, KY HISTOLOGY CELL BLOCK | $395.01 | $395.01 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Jackson Purchase Medical Center Mayfield · Mayfield, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, biopsy, not requiring microscopic evaluation of surgical margins Breast, reduction mammoplasty Bronc | $479.30 | $1,198.26 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Tristar Greenview Regional Hospital Bowling Green · Bowling Green, KY Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination Abortion - spontaneous/missed Artery, biopsy Bone marrow, biopsy Bone exostosis Brain/meninges, other than for tumor resection Breast, | $3,603.54 | $3,603.54 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 13 | $119.60 | $133.20 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 10 | $41.02 | $192.09 |
| Corbin, KY | 4 | $101.40 | $172.94 |
| Richmond-Berea, KY | 4 | $42.56 | $137.93 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 3 | $62.29 | $72.00 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | 3 | $46.35 | $93.60 |
| Pikeville, KY | 3 | $95.40 | $110.40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 2 | $114.61 | $179.76 |
| Middlesborough, KY | 2 | $84.60 | $96.75 |
| Albany, KY | 1 | $72.00 | $72.00 |
| Carrollton, KY | 1 | $178.20 | $178.20 |
| Columbia, KY | 1 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
| Cynthiana, KY | 1 | $114.98 | $114.98 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1 | $214.54 | $214.54 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 1 | $81.27 | $81.27 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 1 | $370.57 | $370.57 |
| Flemingsburg, KY | 1 | $82.40 | $82.40 |
| Frankfort, KY | 1 | $395.01 | $395.01 |
| Glasgow, KY | 1 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
| Harlan, KY | 1 | $110.40 | $110.40 |
| Hartford, KY | 1 | $70.00 | $70.00 |
| Hazard, KY | 1 | $96.60 | $96.60 |
| Horse Cave, KY | 1 | $72.00 | $72.00 |
| Jackson, KY | 1 | $135.55 | $135.55 |
| Lebanon, KY | 1 | $46.86 | $46.86 |
| Liberty, KY | 1 | $129.68 | $129.68 |
| Louisville, KY | 1 | $119.60 | $119.60 |
| Maysville, KY | 1 | $360.84 | $360.84 |
| Monticello, KY | 1 | $91.07 | $91.07 |
| Morehead, KY | 1 | $319.50 | $319.50 |
| Morganfield, KY | 1 | $92.59 | $92.59 |
| Madisonville, KY | 1 | $64.79 | $64.79 |
| Mayfield, KY | 1 | $479.30 | $479.30 |
| Mount Sterling, KY | 1 | $72.52 | $72.52 |
| Murray, KY | 1 | $295.75 | $295.75 |
| Paintsville, KY | 1 | $110.40 | $110.40 |
| Russellville, KY | 1 | $83.40 | $83.40 |
| Tompkinsville, KY | 1 | $95.87 | $95.87 |
| West Liberty, KY | 1 | $110.40 | $110.40 |
| Whitesburg, KY | 1 | $88.20 | $88.20 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What biopsy pathology exam is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Biopsy pathology exam explained.
Biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV) in other states
- Alabama$168.00
- Alaska$290.06
- Arizona$85.96
- Arkansas$77.39
- California$130.00
- Colorado$496.64
- Connecticut$218.35
- Delaware$381.35
- District of Columbia$353.47, 3 hospitals
- Florida$116.24
- Georgia$84.07
- Hawaii$254.80
- Idaho$219.75
- Illinois$245.00
- Indiana$259.15
- Iowa$178.10
- Kansas$218.25
- Louisiana$84.96
- Maine$139.68
- Maryland$172.46
- Massachusetts$171.50
- Michigan$109.10
- Minnesota$141.92
- Mississippi$80.60
- Missouri$197.90
- Montana$201.60
- Nebraska$196.80
- Nevada$74.33
- New Hampshire$263.14
- New Jersey$97.92
- New Mexico$206.00
- New York$152.88
- North Carolina$178.80
- North Dakota$123.22
- Ohio$203.45
- Oklahoma$132.00
- Oregon$197.60
- Pennsylvania$169.20
- Puerto Rico$140.00, 1 hospital
- Rhode Island$111.30
- South Carolina$190.80
- South Dakota$161.20
- Tennessee$75.45
- Texas$296.13
- Utah$485.46
- Vermont$261.69
- Virginia$217.80
- Washington$168.90
- West Virginia$108.67
- Wisconsin$215.80
- Wyoming$98.19
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.