Blood culture cost in Chicago, IL — inpatient
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 33 hospitals list a cash price for blood culture for bacteria as an inpatient: from $29.50 to $357.00, with a median of $105.00. The lowest listed price is at Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks and 3 other hospitals — $75.50 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $137.50 at 63 hospitals.
Cash prices at 33 facilities across 23 cities for code 87040, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Apr 1, 2026.
Lowest$29.50Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks + 3 more
Median$105.00half pay less
Highest$357.00in this market
Difference12.1×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 $29.50Highest $574.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC CULTURE BLOOD | $29.50 | $118.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Blood Culture, Routine SO | $50.76 | $149.29 | $97.04 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 CULTURE, BLOOD | $57.50 | $115.00 | $50.26–$92.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL CULTURE, BLOOD | $57.50 | $115.00 | $50.26–$92.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 CULTURE, BLOOD | $60.00 | $120.00 | $52.44–$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 Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL CULTURE, BLOOD | $75.00 | $150.00 | $65.55–$120.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 CULTURE, BLOOD | $75.00 | $150.00 | $65.55–$120.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 CULTURE, BLOOD | $80.00 | $160.00 | $69.92–$128.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL CULTURE, BLOOD | $82.50 | $165.00 | $72.11–$132.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 CULTURE, BLOOD | $82.50 | $165.00 | $72.11–$132.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 CULTURE, BLOOD | $82.50 | $165.00 | $72.11–$132.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Blood Culture | $96.37 | $283.43 | $184.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 Blood Culture | $96.37 | $283.43 | $184.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 CULTURE, BLOOD | $105.00 | $210.00 | $91.77–$168.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 CULTURE, BLOOD | $137.50 | $275.00 | $120.18–$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 |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Blood Culture Isolator Method* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Culture Blood* | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Culture Donor Unit | $177.45 | $273.00 | $44.50–$146.06 | 35% | — source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 Blood Culture, Routine SO | $179.13 | $526.86 | $342.46 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 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 |
| 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 |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB CULTURE DONOR UNIT | $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 |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB CULTURE DONOR UNIT | $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 |
| 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 BLOOD CULTURE, ISOLATOR METHOD* | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | 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 |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB CULTURE BLOOD* | $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 | $181.67–$3,678.00 | 30% | — 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 |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Culture Bacterial Definitive; Blood | $357.00 | $357.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 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 |
Inpatient: lowest $29.50, median $105.00, highest $357.00 — a 12.1× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 49 facilities here, median $143.88 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 14 of 19 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 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.