CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Northwestern Medicine McHenry

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $101
Cash Discount Price: $134
vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.72x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Northwestern Medicine McHenry is $101. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $134. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 11.72x the Medicare baseline. Located in 4201 Medical Center Drive, McHenry, IL.

Cash / Self-Pay

$134

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$101

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: $134 (1555%)

Insurance Median: $101 (1172%)

Cash: $134 (1555% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $101 (1172% 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 1172% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1072%). 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
Aetna	$5 - $338	58%
Mercy Care Health Plans [5013]	$8 - $195	93%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$9 - $644	104%
Healthlink [125]	$14 - $322	162%
Choicecare [177]	$15 - $343	174%
Multiplan/Phcs [142]	$18 - $644	209%
Health'S Finest Network [126]	$20 - $470	232%
Cigna	$21 - $483	244%
Beechstreet [176]	$22 - $515	255%

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 $134.
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 Northwestern Medicine McHenry 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.