CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Howard County Medical Center

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 87070
  • Insurance Median: $83
  • Cash Discount Price: $145
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.63x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Howard County Medical Center is $83. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $145. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 9.63x the Medicare baseline. Located in P O Box 406, 1113 Sherman St, St Paul, NE.
Cash / Self-Pay
$145

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$83

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: $145 (1682%)
Insurance Median: $83 (963%)
Cash: $145 (1682% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $83 (963% 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 963% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 863%). 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
UnitedHealthcare $3 - $139 35%
Aetna $6 - $138 70%
Medica Standard Premier $9 - $17 104%
Medica Elevate $17 - $31 197%
Midland'S Choice $18 209%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $30 - $138 348%
Molina Healthcare $72 835%
Nebraska Total Care $72 835%
Great Plains $83 963%
Medica Chi $83 963%
Tricare $109 1265%
Medica Chi Aco $132 1531%
Medica Choice National $132 1531%
Medica Ifb Aco $139 1613%
Medica Ifb Open Access $139 1613%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: P O Box 406, 1113 Sherman St, St Paul, NE 68873
  • CMS Rating: No CMS Rating
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Other
  • Hospital Type: Critical Access Hospitals