CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: UT Health East Texas Carthage Hospital

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $120
Cash Discount Price: $30
vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.92x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at UT Health East Texas Carthage Hospital is $120. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $30. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 13.92x the Medicare baseline. Located in 409 Cottage Rd, Carthage, TX.

Cash / Self-Pay

$30

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$120

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: $30 (348%)

Insurance Median: $120 (1392%)

Cash: $30 (348% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $120 (1392% 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 1392% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1292%). 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
Amerigroup Commercial [5055]	$74	858%
Black Lung [6055]	$74	858%
Healthcare Highways [2210]	$74	858%
Healthscope Benefits [2290]	$74	858%
Lucent Health [6000]	$74	858%
Medicaid / KanCare	$74	858%
Parkland Community Health Plan [6015]	$74	858%
Web Tpa [2115]	$74 - $181	858%
Cigna	$165 - $186	1914%
Aetna	$181	2100%
Mailhandlers [1595]	$181	2100%
Group Pension Admin [1450]	$186	2158%
Humana	$186	2158%
Phcs [1780]	$186	2158%
Tml [1980]	$186	2158%

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 $30.
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 UT Health East Texas Carthage 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.