CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Medstar Union Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 87070
  • Insurance Median: $133
  • Cash Discount Price: $130
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 15.43x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Medstar Union Memorial Hospital is $133. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $130. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 15.43x the Medicare baseline. Located in 201 East University Parkway, Baltimore, MD.
Cash / Self-Pay
$130

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$133

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: $130 (1508%)
Insurance Median: $133 (1543%)
Cash: $130 (1508% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $133 (1543% 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 1543% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1443%). 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.

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 $133 1543%
Amerigroup $133 1543%
Amerihealth Caritas District Of Columbia $133 1543%
Carefirst Advantage Inc $133 1543%
Carefirst Blue Choice Inc $133 1543%
Cigna $133 1543%
First Health $133 1543%
Hscsn $133 1543%
Humana $133 1543%
Kaiser Permanente $133 1543%
Magellan Behavioral Health Inc $133 1543%
Mamsi $133 1543%
Medstar Family Choice $133 1543%
Medstar Family Choice Inc $133 1543%
Ncppo Healthlink Ppo $133 1543%
Pfc $133 1543%
Private Healthcare Systems (Phcs) $133 1543%
Tricare $133 1543%
United Behavioral Health Inc $133 1543%
UnitedHealthcare $133 1543%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 201 East University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21218
  • CMS Rating: ★★★★★
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Other
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals