CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 87070
  • Insurance Median: $46
  • Cash Discount Price: $78
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.34x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center is $46. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $78. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 5.34x the Medicare baseline. Located in 523 North 3Rd Street, Brainerd, MN.
Cash / Self-Pay
$78

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$46

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: $78 (905%)
Insurance Median: $46 (534%)
Cash: $78 (905% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $46 (534% 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 534% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 434%). 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
Advocare/Security Health $9 104%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $9 - $120 104%
Blue Plus Pmap Pcc Prime $9 - $108 104%
Freedom Blue Ppo $9 104%
Healthpartners Care Msho / Mcr Adv $9 104%
Imcare Msho Pcc Prime $9 104%
Imcare Msho Ref Req $9 104%
Itasca Med Care $9 104%
Medica Advantage Solutions $9 104%
Medica Msho/Dual Solutions $9 104%
Medica Prime Solution Group $9 104%
Medicare (plans) $9 104%
Nd Va Administration $9 104%
Platinum Blue/Vantage Blue $9 104%
Primewest $9 104%
Primewest Msho $9 104%
Secure Blue Msho $9 104%
Ubh Cost Plan $9 104%
Ubh Msho $9 104%
Ucare Msho $9 104%
UnitedHealthcare $9 - $130 104%
Medica Access $20 - $54 232%
Healthpartners Care Pmap $27 - $74 313%
Sanford Health Plan $27 - $77 313%
Medica $39 - $121 452%
Medica Uplan $39 - $109 452%
Ucare $41 - $113 476%
Medica Choice $45 - $124 522%
Wea $45 - $132 522%
Cigna $46 - $126 534%
Healthpartners $46 - $126 534%
Healthpartners Pcc Prime $46 - $126 534%
America'S Ppo $48 - $133 557%
Wps $51 - $144 592%
Aetna $53 - $145 615%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 523 North 3Rd Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • CMS Rating: ★★★☆☆
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals