CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Alaska Regional Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $280
Cash Discount Price: $420
vs. Medicare Baseline: 32.48x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Alaska Regional Hospital is $280. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $420. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 32.48x the Medicare baseline. Located in 2801 Debarr Road, Anchorage, AK.

Cash / Self-Pay

$420

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$280

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$8.62

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $8.62 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $420 (4872%)

Insurance Median: $280 (3248%)

Cash: $420 (4872% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $280 (3248% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $8.62 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 3248% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 3148%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Triwest Healthcare Alliance	$9	104%
United	$9 - $952	104%
Veteran'S Administration	$9	104%
Veterans Evaluation Services	$11	128%
Aetna	$37 - $85	429%
Union Coalition	$40 - $372	464%
Union Coalition Cement Masons	$41 - $386	476%
Moda Health	$43 - $593	499%
Premerafirst	$67 - $624	777%
Geha Ppo Usa	$70 - $1,105	812%
Cigna	$73 - $684	847%
Multiplan	$81 - $1,173	940%
Coventry Healthcare	$85 - $795	986%
First Health	$95 - $883	1102%
Bering Strait School District	$101 - $946	1172%
Nreca Group Benefit Trust	$101 - $946	1172%
Risk & Benefit Management	$101 - $946	1172%
Banner Health	$108 - $1,009	1253%
Matanuska Telephone	$108 - $1,009	1253%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $420.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 87070.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Alaska Regional Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 87070.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.