CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Sanford Luverne Medical Center

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $30
Cash Discount Price: $37
vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.48x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Sanford Luverne Medical Center is $30. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $37. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 3.48x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1600 N Kniss Avenue P O Box 1019, Luverne, MN.

Cash / Self-Pay

$37

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$30

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: $37 (429%)

Insurance Median: $30 (348%)

Cash: $37 (429% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $30 (348% 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 348% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 248%). 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	$8 - $56	93%
Sanford Health Plan Align	$12 - $21	139%
Ucare	$12 - $53	139%
Aetna	$13 - $52	151%
Health Partners	$13 - $48	151%
Medicare (plans)	$13 - $23	151%
Primewest	$13 - $28	151%
UnitedHealthcare	$13 - $50	151%
Sanford Health Plan	$18 - $38	209%
Security Health Plan	$18 - $33	209%
Medica	$29 - $57	336%
Cigna	$30 - $54	348%
First Choice Health Network	$30 - $54	348%
Healthez	$30 - $54	348%
Multiplan	$30 - $54	348%

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 $37.
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 Sanford Luverne 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.