CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, blood

Facility: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 87040 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87040
Insurance Median: $72
Cash Discount Price: $69
vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.98x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, blood at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is $72. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $69. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $10.32, this hospital’s rate is 6.98x the Medicare baseline. Located in 17 Belmont Ave, Brattleboro, VT.

Cash / Self-Pay

$69

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$72

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$10.32

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $10.32 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $69 (669%)

Insurance Median: $72 (698%)

Cash: $69 (669% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $72 (698% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $10.32 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 698% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 598%). 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	$6 - $94	58%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$7 - $89	68%
Amerihealth-Caritas	$10	97%
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care	$10 - $86	97%
Humana	$10	97%
Martin'S Point	$10	97%
Mvp Healthcare	$10 - $89	97%
New Hampshire Healthy Families	$10	97%
Wellsense	$10 - $11	97%
Cigna	$11 - $94	107%
Multiplan	$11 - $96	107%
New Hampshire Healthy Families (Wellcare)	$11	107%
Vermont Health Plan	$15 - $89	145%
Tufts Health Plan	$29 - $91	281%
Aetna	$96	930%
Coventry	$96	930%
Health New England	$96	930%

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 $69.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 87040.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 87040.
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.