CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Ochsner Choctaw General

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $13
Cash Discount Price: $36
vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.51x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Ochsner Choctaw General is $13. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $36. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 1.51x the Medicare baseline. Located in 401 Vanity Fair Lane, Po Box 618, Butler, AL.

Cash / Self-Pay

$36

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$13

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: $36 (418%)

Insurance Median: $13 (151%)

Cash: $36 (418% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $13 (151% 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.

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
UnitedHealthcare	$4 - $100	46%
Humana	$7 - $81	81%
Ambetter / Centene	$8 - $82	93%
Cigna	$8 - $100	93%
Magnolia Health Plan – Wellcare By All Well Of Mississippi	$8 - $81	93%
Medicaid / KanCare	$8 - $9	93%
Medicare (plans)	$8 - $94	93%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$9 - $22	104%
Primewell Health Services Commercial Exchange Plan	$9 - $121	104%
Primewell Health Services – Commercial	$9 - $121	104%
Shared Health Mississippi	$9 - $86	104%
Prime Health Services Ppo	$10 - $145	116%
Aetna	$12 - $118	139%
Select Administrative Services Network	$13 - $127	151%
Claritev D/B/A Multiplan/Phcs/American Life Care	$14 - $136	162%
Prime Health Services Ppo -Workers Comp	$14 - $144	162%
Zelis	$14 - $136	162%
Cor Vel	$15 - $147	174%

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 $36.
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 Ochsner Choctaw General 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.