CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Wheatland Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $130
Cash Discount Price: $149
vs. Medicare Baseline: 15.08x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Wheatland Memorial Hospital is $130. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $149. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 15.08x the Medicare baseline. Located in 530 3Rd St Nw, Harlowton, MT.

Cash / Self-Pay

$149

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$130

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: $149 (1729%)

Insurance Median: $130 (1508%)

Cash: $149 (1729% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $130 (1508% 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 1508% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1408%). 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
Healthnet Federal-All Plans	$82 - $92	951%
Humana	$82 - $92	951%
Medica Prime Solutions-All Plans	$82 - $92	951%
Pacific Source Mcr Adv	$82 - $92	951%
Triwest-All Plans	$82 - $92	951%
Amish Old Orders-All Plans	$101 - $113	1172%
Allegiance Provider-All Plans	$115 - $128	1334%
6 Degrees Health-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Americas Choice-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Community Health Ntwk-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Fedmed Network-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
First Choice Big Sky-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Interwest Ppo-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Mountain Health Co-Op-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Pacific Source-All Other Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Pacific Steel & Recycling-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Rocky Mountain Health Network-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
Three Rivers-All Plans	$128 - $143	1485%
First Health-All Plans	$130 - $145	1508%
Ccn-All Plans	$131 - $146	1520%
UnitedHealthcare	$132 - $148	1531%
City Of Billings-All Plans	$202 - $226	2343%

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 $149.
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 Wheatland Memorial Hospital 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.