CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, bacterial

Facility: Holy Cross Hospital - Salt Lake

Billing Code: 87070 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87070
Insurance Median: $317
Cash Discount Price: $268
vs. Medicare Baseline: 36.77x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, bacterial at Holy Cross Hospital - Salt Lake is $317. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $268. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.62, this hospital’s rate is 36.77x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1050 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT.

Cash / Self-Pay

$268

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$317

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: $268 (3109%)

Insurance Median: $317 (3677%)

Cash: $268 (3109% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $317 (3677% 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 3677% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 3577%). 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
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$6 - $402	70%
Cigna	$7 - $536	81%
Denver Health	$7	81%
Health Choice	$7	81%
Medicaid / KanCare	$7	81%
Rocky Mountain Health Plan	$7	81%
Uuhp	$7 - $20	81%
Humana	$8	93%
Medicare (plans)	$8	93%
Centura Employee Plan	$11	128%
Employer Direct Healthcare	$11	128%
Motivhealth	$11	128%
UnitedHealthcare	$11	128%
Molina	$18 - $288	209%
Pehp	$286 - $670	3318%
Aetna	$296 - $566	3434%
Wise	$348 - $355	4037%
Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators	$411	4768%
Select Health	$443	5139%
Multiplan	$462 - $609	5360%
Emi Health	$670	7773%

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 $268.
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 Holy Cross Hospital - Salt Lake 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.