Culture, bacterial
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital 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% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $9 - $24 | 104% |
| Humana | $9 | 104% |
| Vc Hope | $9 | 104% |
| Va | $9 | 104% |
| Medicare (plans) | $9 | 104% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 | 104% |
| Cigna | $13 | 151% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $15 | 174% |
| Aetna | $27 - $30 | 313% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $35 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 87070 (Culture, bacterial) at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $8 to $35 depending on the insurance carrier. This price range aligns closely with the state average, as the facility's negotiated rate of $9.00 is virtually identical to the Medicare benchmark of $8.62, which serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing. While some commercial payers like Aetna and Coventry City Of Wichita have negotiated rates significantly higher than the Medicare rate, the facility does not appear to be charging above the state average for this service. Patients should note that cash-pay options are not listed for this specific code, so the negotiated rates apply to all insured members.
To minimize out-of-pocket costs, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount, as commercial rates can vary widely even within the same facility. If a patient has a high-deductible plan, they should confirm whether their deductible has been met before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting the deductible can result in significant unexpected expenses. Additionally, since cash prices are not available for this procedure, patients should ask the billing department directly about any "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts that might apply if they choose to pay the balance directly. It is also important to request an itemized bill before payment to ensure all charges are accurate and to avoid paying for services that were not rendered or to identify any unbundled codes that could be corrected.