CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $127
Cash Discount Price: $64
vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.73x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital is $127. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $64. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 14.73x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH.

Cash / Self-Pay

$64

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$127

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: $64 (742%)

Insurance Median: $127 (1473%)

Cash: $64 (742% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $127 (1473% 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 1473% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1373%). 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
UnitedHealthcare	$4 - $243	46%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$6 - $276	70%
Beacon Health Strategies/Carelon	$7 - $39	81%
Amerihealth Caritas Nh	$8 - $36	93%
Granite State Health Plan	$8 - $40	93%
Wellsense Health Plan	$8 - $39	93%
Aetna	$9 - $223	104%
Ambetter / Centene	$9 - $28	104%
Cigna	$9 - $217	104%
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Of Ne	$9 - $203	104%
Martin'S Point Generations Advantage	$9	104%
Martin'S Point Health Care	$9 - $109	104%
Mvp	$9 - $212	104%
Wellcare Health Plans	$9	104%
Mass General Brigham Health Plan	$21 - $197	244%
Tufts Health Plan	$25 - $185	290%
Maine Community Health Options	$85 - $233	986%
Coventry	$117 - $276	1357%
First Health/Hcvm	$117 - $276	1357%
Phcs	$121 - $285	1404%
Corvel	$123 - $292	1427%
Ccmsi	$127 - $301	1473%

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 $64.
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 Mary Hitchcock 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.