CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Medical West, An Affiliate of UAB Health System

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 87070
  • Insurance Median: $163
  • Cash Discount Price: $192
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 18.91x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Medical West, An Affiliate of UAB Health System is $163. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $192. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 18.91x the Medicare baseline. Located in 995 9Th Avenue Southwest, Bessemer, AL.
Cash / Self-Pay
$192

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$163

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: $192 (2227%)
Insurance Median: $163 (1891%)
Cash: $192 (2227% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $163 (1891% 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 1891% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1791%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash 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
Cigna $5 - $350 58%
Aetna $9 - $339 104%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $9 104%
Cooper Green $9 104%
Humana $9 - $411 104%
Jefferson County Sheriff $9 104%
Triwest $9 104%
United Mine Workers $9 104%
UnitedHealthcare $9 104%
Viva $10 - $242 116%
Ambetter / Centene $12 139%
Beech Street $12 - $339 139%
Phcs $12 - $339 139%
One Health Plan $13 - $315 151%
Geha $14 - $339 162%
Healthchoice $14 - $339 162%
Alamed $16 - $379 186%
Construction Claims Management $16 - $392 186%
Multiplan $16 - $397 186%
Corvel $17 - $436 197%
Department Of Labor $17 - $421 197%
Heritage Summit Health $17 - $421 197%
Novanet $17 - $404 197%
Pnoa $18 - $436 209%
Three Rivers $18 - $436 209%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 995 9Th Avenue Southwest, Bessemer, AL 35022
  • CMS Rating: ★★★☆☆
  • Ownership Type: Government - Hospital District or Authority
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals