Culture, bacterial
Facility: Lindsborg Community Hospital
Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 87070
- Insurance Median: $50
- Cash Discount Price: $44
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.80x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 580% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 480%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry Mcr Adv | $25 - $35 | 290% |
| Tricare | $25 - $35 | 290% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $32 | 371% |
| Cigna | $45 - $62 | 522% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $47 - $66 | 545% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $47 - $66 | 545% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $49 - $68 | 568% |
| Phcs Preferred-All Plans | $49 - $68 | 568% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $50 - $70 | 580% |
| Century Health-All Plans | $50 - $70 | 580% |
| Health Partners -All Plans | $50 - $70 | 580% |
| Coventry Wc | $50 - $70 | 580% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For CPT code 87070, a bacterial culture performed at Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, KS, the facility's cash median price is $44.00, which is lower than the state average of $50.00. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more beneficial than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $25 to $70. This price range exceeds the cash rate, meaning that for many patients, the administrative overhead and potential deductibles associated with insurance coverage result in a higher out-of-pocket cost than paying the self-pay rate upfront.
To minimize unexpected costs, consumers should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these programs can provide immediate fee reductions by bypassing the insurance billing cycle. It is also important to understand that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, reviewing the detailed CPT-coded statement is essential to identify any discrepancies before finalizing payment.