Blood culture cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 49 hospitals list a cash price for blood culture for bacteria: from $10.73 to $357.00, with a median of $143.88. The lowest listed price is at Roseland Community Hospital Association — $133.15 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $137.50 at 63 hospitals.
Cash prices at 49 facilities across 35 cities for code 87040, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Aug 24, 2026.
Lowest$10.73Roseland Community Hospital Association
Median$143.88half pay less
Highest$357.00in this market
Difference33.3×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $10.73Highest $739.90
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland Community Hospital Association lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Bacterial blood culture | $10.73 | $100.00 | $9.60–$110.00 | 89% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Cult Bact; Bld Aer, Isol/Pre ID (Bchpc) | $48.64 | $256.00 | $109.06–$214.53 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Blood Culture (Bld) | $48.64 | $256.00 | $109.06–$214.53 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Blood Culture, Routine SO | $50.76 | $149.29 | $8.28–$97.04 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL CULTURE, BLOOD | $57.50 | $115.00 | $10.32–$112.01 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 CULTURE, BLOOD | $57.50 | $115.00 | $10.32–$92.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Blood Culture (Bld) | $58.88 | $256.00 | $128.00–$269.82 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Cult Bact; Bld Aer, Isol/Pre ID (Bchpc) | $58.88 | $256.00 | $128.00–$269.82 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 CULTURE, BLOOD | $60.00 | $120.00 | $10.32–$96.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital|LaRabida Childrens Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 CULTURE,BLOOD | $66.92 | $66.92 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 CULTURE, BLOOD | $75.00 | $150.00 | $10.32–$133.50 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL CULTURE, BLOOD | $75.00 | $150.00 | $10.32–$133.50 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Bacterial blood culture | $76.44 | $273.00 | $273.00 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 CULTURE, BLOOD | $80.00 | $160.00 | $10.32–$130.24 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 CULTURE, BLOOD | $82.50 | $165.00 | $10.32–$132.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL CULTURE, BLOOD | $82.50 | $165.00 | $10.32–$132.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 CULTURE, BLOOD | $82.50 | $165.00 | $10.32–$132.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA | $88.70 | $88.70 | $9.18–$18.36 | — | — source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Culture, Blood Product | $93.80 | $134.00 | $22.24–$134.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Blood Culture | $96.37 | $283.43 | $8.28–$184.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Blood Culture | $96.37 | $283.43 | $8.28–$184.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 CULTURE, BLOOD | $105.00 | $210.00 | $10.32–$168.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 CULTURE, BLOOD | $137.50 | $275.00 | $10.32–$247.50 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC CULTURE - BLOOD | $143.88 | $436.00 | $10.32–$43.59 | 67% | — source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC CULTURE - BLOOD | $143.88 | $436.00 | $10.32–$43.59 | 67% | — source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB Culture, Blood | $167.30 | $239.00 | $100.38–$239.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Bacterial blood culture | $168.63 | $337.25 | $10.32–$337.25 | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Culture, Blood | $169.40 | $242.00 | $44.29–$242.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Culture, Blood | $172.20 | $246.00 | $46.74–$246.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Blood Culture | $177.10 | $253.00 | $10.32–$225.32 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN Blood Culture | $177.10 | $253.00 | $10.32–$225.32 | 30% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $36.86–$149.06 | 35% | — source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Blood Culture, Routine SO | $179.13 | $526.86 | $8.28–$342.46 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $47.21–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $17.80–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $108.36–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $49.02–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $49.79–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $41.28–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $38.44–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Ref Blood Culture, Routine (Lc) | $180.60 | $258.00 | $42.83–$258.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Culture, Blood Product | $202.30 | $289.00 | $46.24–$289.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Culture, Blood | $202.30 | $289.00 | $46.24–$289.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Culture, Blood | $216.30 | $309.00 | $46.04–$309.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Blood Culture For Bacteria | $250.00 | $250.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Culture, Blood | $252.70 | $361.00 | $59.93–$361.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Culture, Blood | $252.70 | $361.00 | $69.67–$361.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD | $288.00 | $288.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD | $288.00 | $288.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB BLOOD CULTURE, ISOLATOR METHOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB BLOOD CULTURE, ISOLATOR METHOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB CULTURE BLOOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB CULTURE BLOOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB CULTURE DONOR UNIT | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB CULTURE DONOR UNIT | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB CULTURE BLOOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB CULTURE DONOR UNIT | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB BLOOD CULTURE, ISOLATOR METHOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Culture Bacterial Blood Aerobic W/Id Isolates | $298.00 | $298.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES | $343.70 | $491.00 | $83.47–$8,500.00 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN Rapid ID X2, Blood | $354.20 | $506.00 | $2.04–$450.34 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Rapid ID X2, Blood | $354.20 | $506.00 | $2.04–$450.34 | 30% | — source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Culture Bacterial Definitive; Blood | $357.00 | $357.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Culture Bacterial Blood Aerobic W/Id Isolates | $357.00 | $357.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL DEFINITIVE; BLOOD | $357.00 | $357.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Culture, Blood | $359.10 | $513.00 | $35.40–$513.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN Rapid ID X 3, Blood Panel | $531.30 | $759.00 | $10.32–$675.51 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Rapid ID X 3, Blood Panel | $531.30 | $759.00 | $10.32–$675.51 | 30% | — source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Culture Bacterial Definitive; Blood | $574.00 | $574.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Culture Bacterial Blood Additional | $574.00 | $574.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref Susceptibility, Streptococcus Sinensis, Culture (Lurie) | $612.50 | $875.00 | $60.38–$875.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Ref Susceptibility, Streptococcus Sinensis, Culture (Lurie) | $612.50 | $875.00 | $168.88–$875.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $157.49–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $72.93–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $443.94–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $193.43–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $169.12–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $175.46–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $200.83–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Ref Susceptibility, Abiotrophia Defectiva, Culture (Lurie) | $739.90 | $1,057.00 | $204.00–$1,057.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $10.73, median $143.88, highest $357.00 — a 33.3× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 33 facilities here, median $105.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 29 of 35 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 3 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
A blood culture checks for bacteria or yeast in the blood. It is ordered for fever with signs of a serious infection, such as sepsis.
What the price covers
The price is usually for one culture set. The blood draw (36415) is often billed as a separate line.
2 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 87040 ($100.75). Such a line is almost always a physician's fee billed separately, an assistant's share or a placeholder — a real charge, but not the price of the procedure itself.
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, ILHC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA | $10.00 | file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, ILBLOOD CULTURE | $10.00 | file |