CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Waverly Health Center

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $48
Cash Discount Price: $60
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.57x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Waverly Health Center is $48. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $60. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 5.57x the Medicare baseline. Located in 312 9Th Street Sw, Waverly, IA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$60

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$48

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: $60 (696%)

Insurance Median: $48 (557%)

Cash: $60 (696% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $48 (557% 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 557% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 457%). 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
Health Alliance-All Plans	$9 - $100	104%
Midlands Choice Mcare	$9 - $48	104%
Wellmark Hmo	$9 - $34	104%
Wellmark Ppo - All Other Plans	$9 - $38	104%
Choicecare Network - All Plans	$10 - $43	116%
Medicare (plans)	$10 - $48	116%
UnitedHealthcare	$10 - $85	116%
Midlands Choice-All Other Plans	$72 - $100	835%
Hlth Partners Bridges Ntwrk	$77 - $84	893%
Hlth Partners Open Ntwrk - All Other Plans	$77 - $84	893%
Aetna	$94 - $103	1090%

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 $60.
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 Waverly Health Center 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.