Culture, bacterial
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 87070
- Insurance Median: $53
- Cash Discount Price: $44
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.15x 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 615% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 515%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $44 - $52 | 510% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $47 - $55 | 545% |
| Aetna | $47 - $55 | 545% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $48 - $56 | 557% |
| Cigna | $49 - $58 | 568% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $49 - $58 | 568% |
| First Health-All Plans | $49 - $58 | 568% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 87070 (Culture, bacterial) at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the facility's cash median price is $44.00, which is lower than the state average of $49.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with insurance carriers range from $44 to $58, these amounts are generally higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $44.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a negotiated rate exceeding the cash amount. It is important to verify the specific allowed amount with your insurer before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly by carrier.
To ensure you are not overcharged, request a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and unit cost rather than accepting a summary invoice. This audit helps identify errors such as unbundled charges or services not rendered, which are common in hospital billing. Additionally, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount by 20% to 50% if you pay in full within 30 days. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership, they may offer additional self-pay incentives that are not reflected in the standard negotiated rates. Always dispute any discrepancies in writing to protect your financial interests.