Blood culture cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 55 hospitals list a cash price for blood culture for bacteria: from $36.32 to $2,249.76, with a median of $245.70. The lowest listed price is at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and 9 other hospitals — $209.38 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $204.31 at 287 hospitals.
- The median here, $245.70, is 113% above the US median of $115.50.
- That is 23.8× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($10.32).
- Houston, TX ranks 3rd of 4 metro areas in Texas by median, cheapest first.
- 16 of 55 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 55 facilities across 21 cities for code 87040, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Lowest$36.32Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital + 9 more
Median$245.70half of hospitals charge less
Highest$2,249.76in this market
Difference61.9×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $36.32Highest $3,006.29
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital lowest Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital lowest Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center lowest The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center lowest Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital lowest Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital lowest Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann lowest Houston, TX HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital lowest Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $36.32 | $113.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $53.76 | $168.00 | — | 68% |
| Shriners Childrens Texas Galveston, TX · (409) 770-6600 BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $77.40 | $77.40 | $9.18–$19.81 | — |
| Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX Blood Culture For Bacteria File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $103.20 | $103.20 | $25.80–$77.40 | — |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Bacterial blood culture File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $110.58 | $184.30 | $19.02–$184.30 | 40% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC CULTURE - BLOOD ANAEROBIC+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $146.73 | $219.00 | $10.32–$208.05 | 33% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 BLOOD CULTURE File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $148.84 | $425.25 | $8.67–$341.91 | 65% |
| Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center Liberty, TX · (936) 336-7316 Culture, Blood Qst+1 more line at this price source file | $172.00 | $246.00 | $148.00–$234.00 | 30% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC CULTURE - BLOOD/BONE MARROW+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $226.46 | $338.00 | $10.32–$321.10 | 33% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $236.50 | $473.00 | — | 50% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC LAB CULT-BLOOD File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $245.70 | $702.00 | $7.43–$702.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC LAB CULT-BLOOD File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $245.70 | $702.00 | $7.43–$702.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC LAB CULT-BLOOD File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $245.70 | $702.00 | $7.43–$702.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB CULT-BLOOD File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $245.70 | $702.00 | $7.43–$702.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB CULT-BLOOD File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $245.70 | $702.00 | $7.43–$702.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC LAB CULT-BLOOD File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $245.70 | $702.00 | $7.43–$702.00 | 65% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $280.00 | $560.00 | — | 50% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 CULTURE BLOOD AERO-ANAERO File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $293.30 | $838.00 | $8.24–$628.50 | 65% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC BRUCELLA CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $321.50 | $643.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC BLOOD CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $650.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC BLOOD CULTURE (AEROBIC & ANAEROBIC BOTTLES) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $329.00 | $658.00 | — | 50% |
| Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 Culture bacterial; blood aerobic with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture if appropriate) File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file | $329.50 | $659.00 | $373.84 | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC BLOOD ANAEROBIC CULTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $337.50 | $675.00 | — | 50% |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $566.00 | $566.00 | — | — |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $793.24 | $793.24 | $8.84–$713.92 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,076.00 | $1,076.00 | $8.84–$968.40 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,166.37 | $1,166.37 | $8.84–$991.41 | — |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,224.48 | $1,224.48 | $41.83–$428.57 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,285.63 | $1,285.63 | $41.83–$1,092.79 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 CULTURE STEM CELLS+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,341.19 | $1,341.19 | $80.47–$1,207.07 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,341.19 | $1,341.19 | $41.83–$1,207.07 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,492.00 | $1,492.00 | $41.83–$1,268.20 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,548.79 | $1,548.79 | $8.67–$1,316.47 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,548.79 | $1,548.79 | $8.84–$542.08 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,643.45 | $1,643.45 | $41.83–$1,479.11 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,713.59 | $1,713.59 | $41.83–$1,542.23 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (includes anaerobic culture, if appropriate) +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,249.76 | $2,249.76 | $41.83–$1,912.30 | — |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC PREPARATION OF T-LYMPHOCYTES 2+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $3,006.29 | $4,487.00 | $10.32–$4,262.65 | 33% |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $36.32, median $245.70, highest $2,249.76 — a 61.9× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 39 facilities here, median $146.73. 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 12 of 27 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 1 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 blood culture is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Blood culture explained.
7 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 87040 ($120.61). 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.
| Hospital | Cash price | File |
|---|---|---|
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TXAEROB BACTERIAL BLOOD CULTURE | $10.11 | file |
| Harris Health Houston, TXCULTURE BLOOD (PEDI, AEROBIC ONLY) | $10.32 | file |
| Harris Health Houston, TXAEROB BACTERIAL BLOOD CULTURE; QBDL | $10.32 | file |
| Harris Health Houston, TXCULTURE, AEROBIC/ANAEROBIC, BLOOD | $10.32 | file |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TXCULTURE BLOOD (PEDI, AEROBIC ONLY) | $10.32 | file |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TXAEROB BACTERIAL BLOOD CULTURE; QBDL | $10.32 | file |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TXCULTURE, AEROBIC/ANAEROBIC, BLOOD | $10.32 | file |
File Link to the hospital's own price file.