CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Covenant Medical Center

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $51
Cash Discount Price: $69
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.92x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Covenant Medical Center is $51. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $69. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 5.92x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1447 N Harrison, Saginaw, MI.

Cash / Self-Pay

$69

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$51

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: $69 (800%)

Insurance Median: $51 (592%)

Cash: $69 (800% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $51 (592% 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 592% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 492%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance 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
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$5 - $8	58%
Healthy Michigan Mclaren	$5	58%
Healthy Michigan Meridian	$5	58%
Healthy Michigan Molina	$5	58%
Healthy Michigan Priority Health	$5	58%
Blue Care Network	$6 - $9	70%
Mclaren Health Advantage	$6 - $89	70%
Priority Health E	$6 - $91	70%
Aetna	$7 - $145	81%
Cigna	$7 - $108	81%
Health Advantage Mclaren Employee	$7 - $108	81%
Physicians Health Plan	$7 - $108	81%
Priority Health	$7 - $108	81%
Health Alliance Plan Of Michigan	$9 - $17	104%
Humana	$9 - $148	104%
Mclaren Advantage	$9	104%
Molina Healthplan	$9	104%
Physicians Health Plan Advantage/Advantage Plus	$9	104%
Meritain Health	$10 - $151	116%
Multiplan	$11 - $177	128%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $69.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 87070.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Covenant Medical Center is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 87070.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.