Bacterial culture (wound) cost in Birmingham, AL
In Birmingham, AL, 8 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $15.00 to $729.00, with a median of $163.72. The lowest listed price is at Grandview Medical Center and 1 other hospital — $148.72 less than the median here. Across Alabama, the median is $76.99 at 45 hospitals.
Cash prices at 8 facilities across 4 cities for code 87070, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 29, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Apr 1, 2026 and Jun 22, 2026.
Lowest$15.00Grandview Medical Center + 1 more
Median$163.72half pay less
Highest$729.00in this market
Difference48.6×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 Birmingham, AL.
median
Lowest $15.00Highest $729.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandview Medical Center lowest Birmingham, AL · (205) 971-1000 L188227 CULTURE BACT | $15.00 | $100.00 | $6.03–$90.00 | 85% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Grandview Medical Center lowest Birmingham, AL · (205) 971-1000 CULTURE BACTERIA OTH | $15.00 | $100.00 | $6.03–$90.00 | 85% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UAB Medical West lowest Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 C & S Throat | $15.00 | $20.00 | $4.90–$18.00 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Bone Marrow,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Joint Fluid Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Joint Fluid Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Misc Fluid,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Misc Fluid,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Miscellaneous,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Miscellaneous,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Tracheal Aspirate,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Tracheal Aspirate,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-CSF,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-CSF,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Dialysate,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Dialysate,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Ear,External,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Ear,External,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Eye,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Eye,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Genital,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Genital,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Myringotomy,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Myringotomy,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Sputum,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Sputum,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Throat,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Throat,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Wound,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Culture-Wound,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Eye,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Bronchoalveolar Lavage Culture Qualit | $30.43 | $70.77 | $42.46 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Cult-Bone Marrow,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Sputum,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Wound,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama – Benjamin Russell Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 939-9100 HC Bronchoalveolar Lavage Culture Qualit | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Cult-Tracheal Aspirate,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Myringotomy,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-CSF,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Dialysate,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Cult-Bone Marrow,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Genital,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Cult-Miscellaneous,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Cult-Misc Fluid,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Bronchoalveolar Lavage Culture Qualit | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Throat,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Culture-Ear,External,Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham, AL HC Cult-Joint Fluid Aerobic | $30.43 | $70.77 | $48.12–$63.69 | 57% | — source file |
| UAB Medical West Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 C & S Miscellaneous | $69.75 | $93.00 | $8.53–$83.70 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| UAB Medical West Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 C & S CSF | $110.25 | $147.00 | $8.53–$132.30 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| UAB Medical West Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 C & S Sputum | $192.00 | $256.00 | $8.53–$230.40 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| UAB Medical West Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 Culture Legionella | $220.50 | $294.00 | $8.53–$264.60 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| UAB Medical West Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 Culture,Genital | $249.75 | $333.00 | $8.53–$299.70 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 877-1000 Cult Oth Source/8 | $297.00 | $297.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 877-1000 Cult Oth Source/9 | $302.00 | $302.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 877-1000 Cult Oth Source/18 | $323.00 | $323.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 877-1000 Cult Oth Source/15 | $323.00 | $323.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 877-1000 Cult Oth Source | $331.16 | $331.16 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UAB Medical West Bessemer, AL · (205) 481-7000 Culture,Bordetella | $363.00 | $484.00 | $8.53–$435.60 | 25% | Jun 22, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Walker Hospital Jasper, AL · (205) 387-4000 Hb Csf Culture | $729.00 | $729.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Princeton Hospital Birmingham, AL · (205) 783-3800 Hb Csf Culture | $729.00 | $729.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Shelby Hospital Alabaster, AL · (205) 620-8100 Hb Csf Culture | $729.00 | $729.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $15.00, median $163.72, highest $729.00 — a 48.6× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 8 facilities here, median $163.72. 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 4 of 4 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 bacterial culture grows bacteria from a sample such as a wound, throat swab, eye or fluid to find which germ causes an infection. It takes one to three days.
What the price covers
The price usually covers running the test; collecting the sample may be billed separately.