Blood culture cost in Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, 44 hospitals list a cash price for blood culture for bacteria: from $14.65 to $812.50, with a median of $275.21. The lowest listed price is at Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital — $260.56 less than the median here. Across California, the median is $272.16 at 200 hospitals.
- The median here, $275.21, is 138% above the US median of $115.50.
- That is 26.7× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($10.32).
- Los Angeles, CA ranks 3rd of 5 metro areas in California by median, cheapest first.
- 17 of 44 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 44 facilities across 29 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 Nov 26, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026.
Lowest$14.65Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital
Median$275.21half of hospitals charge less
Highest$812.50in this market
Difference55.5×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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA.
median
Lowest $14.65Highest $812.50
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital lowest Norwalk, CA · (310) 532-4200 BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $14.65 | $14.65 | $4.33–$24.54 | — |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $23.80 | $68.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $32.90 | $94.00 | — | 65% |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $41.30 | $118.00 | — | 65% |
| Catalina Island Medical Center Avalon, CA · (310) 510-0700 Bacterial blood culture File of Jul 20, 2026 · source file | $52.50 | $75.00 | $9.80–$75.00 | 30% |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Newport Beach, CA · (949) 764-4624 HC Blood Culture for Bacteria File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $54.76 | $84.24 | — | 35% |
| Anaheim Global Medical Center Anaheim, CA · (714) 533-6220 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of Jun 15, 2026 · source file | $57.00 | $57.00 | $8.98–$57.00 | — |
| Orange County Global Medical Center Santa Ana, CA · (714) 953-3500 CULT BLOOD AEROANAERO+1 more line at this price File of Jun 15, 2026 · source file | $57.00 | $57.00 | $8.26–$57.00 | — |
| Chapman Global Medical Center Orange, CA · (714) 633-0011 CULTURE BLOOD+1 more line at this price File of May 6, 2026 · source file | $57.00 | $57.00 | $9.18–$57.00 | — |
| Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare Pomona, CA · (909) 596-7733 Bacterial blood culture File of Oct 5, 2026 · source file | $80.50 | $61.92 | $9.29–$84.21 | -30% |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $137.90 | $394.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $161.00 | $460.00 | — | 65% |
| Pacifica Hospital of the Valley Sun Valley, CA · (818) 767-3310 Culture Blood -Lab source file | $168.00 | $168.00 | $8.00–$168.00 | — |
| UCI Health - Placentia Linda Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $188.00 | $470.00 | — | 60% |
| UCI Health - Fountain Valley Orange, CA · (714) 966-7200 CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $188.00 | $470.00 | — | 60% |
| UCI Health - Los Alamitos Orange, CA · (562) 799-3220 CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $188.00 | $470.00 | — | 60% |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $189.00 | $540.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $189.00 | $540.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence St Joseph Hospital Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $195.84 | $408.00 | — | 52% |
| Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center Glendale, CA · (818) 502-1900 CULT BLOOD File of Sep 30, 2026 · source file | $207.97 | $661.00 | $8.77–$661.00 | 69% |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $212.10 | $606.00 | — | 65% |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $231.70 | $662.00 | — | 65% |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $237.60 | $495.00 | — | 52% |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $241.92 | $504.00 | — | 52% |
| California Hospital Medical Center LA Los Angeles, CA · (213) 748-2411 CULT BLOOD File of Sep 30, 2026 · source file | $270.66 | $566.00 | $8.77–$424.50 | 52% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey, CA · (562) 461-6007 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Fnd Hospital - Irvine Irvine, CA · (714) 279-4000 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park, CA · (626) 851-1011 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City, CA · (818) 375-2000 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City, CA · (310) 325-5111 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · (323) 783-4011 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills, CA · (818) 719-3800 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West LA Los Angeles, CA · (213) 857-2201 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim, CA · (714) 279-4000 CULTURE BACTERIAL BLOOD AEROBIC W/ID ISOLATES File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $279.76 | $538.00 | $7.00–$20.00 | 48% |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $343.70 | $982.00 | — | 65% |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 HB VIRAL RESPIRATORY PANEL WITH COVID19 - 22 TARGETS File of Nov 26, 2025 · source file | $348.31 | $535.86 | — | 35% |
| Los Angeles Community Hospital Los Angeles, CA · (323) 267-0477 CULTURE,BLOOD (Micro) File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $349.97 | $349.97 | $0.54–$300.97 | — |
| Foothill Regional Medical Center Tustin, CA · (714) 619-7700 CULTURE,BLOOD (Micro) File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $353.42 | $353.42 | $0.33–$303.94 | — |
| Valley Presbyterian Hospital Van Nuys, CA · (818) 782-6600 BLOOD CULTURE File of Jul 9, 2026 · source file | $418.00 | $418.00 | $10.11–$376.20 | — |
| Childrens Hospital at Mission - Cerner Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 365-2408 CULTURE BLOOD File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $458.00 | $458.00 | $8.98–$458.00 | — |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $468.30 | $1,338.00 | — | 65% |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $468.30 | $1,338.00 | — | 65% |
| UCI Health - Lakewood Orange, CA · (562) 602-6751 CULTURE BLOOD File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $475.60 | $1,189.00 | — | 60% |
| Memorial Hospital of Gardena Gardena, CA · (310) 532-4200 CULTURE BLOOD BACTER AEROBIC+1 more line at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $507.15 | $507.15 | $4.33–$405.72 | — |
| Community Hospital of Huntington Park Huntington Park, CA · (323) 583-1931 BLOOD CULTURE FOR BACTERIA+1 more line at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $507.15 | $507.15 | $4.33–$405.72 | — |
| Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Norwalk, CA · (310) 532-4200 CULTURE BLOOD BACTER AEROBIC File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $507.15 | $507.15 | $4.33–$405.72 | — |
| East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Los Angeles, CA · (323) 268-5514 CULTURE BLOOD BACTER AEROBIC+1 more line at this price File of Feb 4, 2026 · source file | $507.15 | $507.15 | $4.33–$405.72 | — |
| Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys D/P Aph Van Nuys, CA · (323) 462-2271 CULTURE,BLOOD (Micro) File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $544.52 | $544.52 | $8.98–$468.29 | — |
| Southern California Hospital at Hollywood Hollywood, CA · (323) 462-2271 CULTURE,BLOOD (Micro) File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $544.52 | $544.52 | $0.33–$468.29 | — |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles, CA · (323) 442-8656 Blood Culture For Bacteria File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $616.25 | $616.25 | — | — |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 HB LAB CULT BAC BLOOD+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 26, 2025 · source file | $770.71 | $1,185.71 | $24.96–$143.55 | 35% |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles, CA Blood Culture For Bacteria File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $812.50 | $812.50 | — | — |
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 $14.65, median $275.21, highest $812.50 — a 55.5× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 43 facilities here, median $279.76. 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 5 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 none is it 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.
20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Community Hospital of Huntington Park Huntington Park, CABLOOD CULTURE, ROUTINE - LABCORP | $9.75 | file |
| Memorial Hospital of Gardena Gardena, CABLOOD CULTURE, ROUTINE - LABCORP | $9.75 | file |
| East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Los Angeles, CABLOOD CULTURE, ROUTINE - LABCORP | $9.75 | file |
| Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital Norwalk, CABLOOD CULTURE, ROUTINE - LABCORP | $9.75 | file |
| St Mary Medical Center Long Beach, CACULT BLOOD | $9.95 | file |
| West Anaheim Medical Center Anaheim, CAHc Blood Culture For Bacteria | $10.00 | file |
| Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center Garden Grove, CAHc Blood Culture For Bacteria | $10.00 | file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CABLOOD CULTURE ROUTINE LABCORP | $10.00 | file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CABLOOD CULTURE | $10.00 | file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CABLOOD CULTURE ROUTINE LC | $10.00 | file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CABLOOD CULTURE ROUTINE LABCORP | $10.00 | file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CACULT BLOOD AERO/ANAERO | $10.00 | file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CAREF BLOOD CULTURE | $10.00 | file |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma, CAHc Blood Culture For Bacteria | $10.00 | file |
| St Francis Medical Center Lynwood, CAHc Blood Culture For Bacteria | $10.00 | file |
| San Dimas Community Hospital San Dimas, CAHc Blood Culture For Bacteria | $10.00 | file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CABLOOD CULTURE ROUTINE LABCORP | $10.00 | file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CABLOOD CULTURE ROUTINE LC | $10.00 | file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CABLOOD CULTURE*SOH | $10.00 | file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CACULT BLD AER/AN | $10.00 | file |
File Link to the hospital's own price file.