Culture, bacterial
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 87070
- Insurance Median: $9
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.04x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. 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.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $8 - $12 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 | 104% |
| Humana | $9 | 104% |
| Via Christi Research | $9 | 104% |
| Medicare (plans) | $9 | 104% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $9 | 104% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $9 - $24 | 104% |
| Va | $9 | 104% |
| Vc Hope | $9 | 104% |
| Corizon | $11 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $15 | 174% |
| Aetna | $27 | 313% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $35 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 87070 (Culture, bacterial) at Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc, the negotiated rates range from $8.62 to $35.00 depending on the payer, with Medicare serving as the baseline at $8.62. The facility's negotiated rate of $9.00 is slightly higher than the Medicare benchmark, which typically represents the true cost of care. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates significantly above the Medicare amount, patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a lower total cost if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Since cash prices are not listed in this report, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront.
This service is provided at a non-profit, voluntary church-owned facility in Wichita, Kansas, and the pricing data reflects a vintage of June 2026. Patients should avoid assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price, as different insurance plans negotiate varying rates with the same hospital. Furthermore, if a patient has not yet met their deductible, they may be responsible for the full negotiated amount rather than a copay. To ensure accuracy, consumers should request an itemized bill before paying and verify that no services were bundled incorrectly or charged for without being rendered. Comparing the facility's rates to the state average helps identify whether the pricing is within a reasonable range, though specific county averages were not provided in the available data.