CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Montrose Regional Health

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $136
Cash Discount Price: $110
vs. Medicare Baseline: 15.78x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Montrose Regional Health is $136. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $110. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 15.78x the Medicare baseline. Located in 800 S 3Rd St, Montrose, CO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$110

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$136

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: $110 (1276%)

Insurance Median: $136 (1578%)

Cash: $110 (1276% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $136 (1578% 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 1578% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1478%). 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
United Rocky Mountain Mcaid	$8	93%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$9 - $186	104%
Humana	$9 - $188	104%
Medicare (plans)	$9	104%
United Rocky Mountain Chp-All Other Plans	$55 - $85	638%
Montrose Community Healthplan-All Plans	$109 - $168	1265%
Western Healthcare Alliance-All Plans	$115 - $178	1334%
United Rocky Mountain Private Plan	$118 - $183	1369%
Cigna	$122 - $188	1415%
Multiplan-All Plans	$122 - $188	1415%
Sloans Lake Managed Care-All Plans	$122 - $189	1415%
Three Rivers-All Plans	$122 - $188	1415%
Uchpa - All Plans	$122 - $188	1415%
United Rocky Mountain Self Insured	$122 - $188	1415%
UnitedHealthcare	$122 - $188	1415%

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 $110.
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 Montrose Regional Health 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.