CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, blood

Facility: Mary Bridge Children's Hospital

Billing Code: 87040 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87040
Insurance Median: $13
Cash Discount Price: $36
vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.26x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, blood at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital is $13. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $36. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $10.32, this hospital’s rate is 1.26x the Medicare baseline. Located in 317 Martin Luther King Jr W Box 5299, Tacoma, WA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$36

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$13

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: $36 (349%)

Insurance Median: $13 (126%)

Cash: $36 (349% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $13 (126% 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.

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
Molina	$5 - $19	48%
Wellpoint	$5	48%
Community Health Plan Of Washington	$6 - $16	58%
Coordinated Care	$6	58%
UnitedHealthcare	$6 - $12	58%
Aetna	$10 - $80	97%
Premera	$10 - $13	97%
Regence	$10 - $13	97%
Wellcare	$11	107%
Kaiser	$13	126%
Uniform Medical	$13	126%
Ambetter / Centene	$18	174%
Pacificsource	$23 - $34	223%
First Choice	$52 - $77	504%
First Health	$64 - $80	620%
Multiplan/Phcs	$64 - $80	620%
Cigna	$65 - $84	630%

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 $36.
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 Mary Bridge Children's 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.