CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Valley Presbyterian Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $146
Cash Discount Price: $267
vs. Medicare Baseline: 16.94x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Valley Presbyterian Hospital is $146. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $267. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 16.94x the Medicare baseline. Located in 15107 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$267

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$146

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: $267 (3097%)

Insurance Median: $146 (1694%)

Cash: $267 (3097% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $146 (1694% 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 1694% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1594%). 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
Blue Shield Senior	$8	93%
Aetna	$9 - $34	104%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$9 - $27	104%
Health Net Senior	$9	104%
La Care Covered California	$9	104%
Medicare (plans)	$9	104%
Ambetter / Centene	$12	139%
Heritage Provider Network (Regal & Lakeside)	$13	151%
Health Net	$17	197%
Cigna	$28	325%
UnitedHealthcare	$32 - $226	371%
Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal	$61 - $72	708%
La Care Medi-Cal	$146 - $174	1694%
Phcs	$146 - $174	1694%
Coventry Health Care (Ccn)	$170 - $203	1972%
Blue Shield Ifp	$172 - $205	1995%
Beech Street	$182 - $218	2111%
Blue Shield	$196 - $233	2274%
Multiplan	$219 - $261	2541%

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 $267.
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 Valley Presbyterian 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.