CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Artesia General Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $161
Cash Discount Price: $138
vs. Medicare Baseline: 18.68x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Artesia General Hospital is $161. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $138. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 18.68x the Medicare baseline. Located in 702 N 13Th Street, Artesia, NM.

Cash / Self-Pay

$138

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$161

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: $138 (1601%)

Insurance Median: $161 (1868%)

Cash: $138 (1601% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $161 (1868% 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 1868% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1768%). 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
Zelis	$7 - $110	81%
Triwest	$8	93%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$9 - $166	104%
Geha	$9 - $221	104%
Humana	$9	104%
Molina Healthcare Of New Mexico	$9 - $14	104%
Presbyterian Health Plan	$9 - $14	104%
UnitedHealthcare	$9 - $235	104%
Vistacare Hospice	$9	104%
First Health	$13 - $248	151%
New Mexico Health Connections	$15	174%
Providence Risk & Insurance Services	$17 - $262	197%
Omni Networks	$125 - $193	1450%
Three Rivers Provider Network	$134 - $207	1555%
Cigna	$151 - $248	1752%
Galaxy Health	$160 - $248	1856%
One Health Plan	$160 - $248	1856%
Multiplan	$162 - $251	1879%
United Payors & United Providers	$166 - $257	1926%

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 $138.
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 Artesia General 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.