Bacterial culture (wound) cost in Charleston, SC
In Charleston-North Charleston, SC, 8 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $27.95 to $245.00, with a median of $65.23. The lowest listed price is at Bon Secours St Francis Xavier Hospital and 3 other hospitals — $37.28 less than the median here. Across South Carolina, the median is $123.54 at 38 hospitals.
Cash prices at 8 facilities across 5 cities for code 87070, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 28, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Apr 1, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$27.95Bon Secours St Francis Xavier Hospital + 3 more
Median$65.23half pay less
Highest$245.00in this market
Difference8.8×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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC.
median
Lowest $27.95Highest $905.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Secours St Francis Xavier Hospital lowest Charleston, SC · (843) 402-1006 HC So Body Fluid Culture | $27.95 | $43.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| Roper St Francis Hospital Berkeley lowest Summerville, SC · (854) 529-3002 HC So Body Fluid Culture | $27.95 | $43.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| Roper Hospital lowest Charleston, SC · (843) 724-2800 HC So Body Fluid Culture | $27.95 | $43.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| Roper St Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital lowest Mount Pleasant, SC · (843) 724-2954 HC So Body Fluid Culture | $27.95 | $43.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB STOOL CULTURE FOR OVERGROWTH | $102.50 | $205.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE BHS | $102.50 | $205.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Bon Secours St Francis Xavier Hospital Charleston, SC · (843) 402-1006 HC Culture, Aerobic | $134.55 | $207.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| Roper St Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital Mount Pleasant, SC · (843) 724-2954 HC Culture, Aerobic | $134.55 | $207.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| Roper St Francis Hospital Berkeley Summerville, SC · (854) 529-3002 HC Culture, Aerobic | $134.55 | $207.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| Roper Hospital Charleston, SC · (843) 724-2800 HC Culture, Aerobic | $134.55 | $207.00 | — | 35% | — source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE RESPIRATORY CF | $181.50 | $363.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE CSF | $181.50 | $363.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE RESPIRATORY | $181.50 | $363.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE BACTERIAL (ROUTINE) | $203.00 | $406.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE BTA | $203.00 | $406.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE EAR | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE TISSUE | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE EAR | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE GENITAL | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE EYE | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE BODY FLUID | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE CSF | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE SPUTUM | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE SURGICAL SPEC | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE BODY FLUID | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE CSF | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE SPUTUM | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE SURGICAL SPEC | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE TISSUE | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE WOUND | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE GENITAL | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE EYE | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE WOUND | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE EAR | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE GENITAL | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE BODY FLUID | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE CSF | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE SPUTUM | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE SURGICAL SPEC | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE WOUND | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE TISSUE | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE EYE | $245.00 | $245.00 | $39.94–$232.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULT THROAT | $298.00 | $298.00 | $48.57–$283.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULT THROAT | $298.00 | $298.00 | $48.57–$283.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULT THROAT | $298.00 | $298.00 | $48.57–$283.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $322.00 | $322.00 | $52.49–$305.90 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $322.00 | $322.00 | $52.49–$305.90 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $322.00 | $322.00 | $52.49–$305.90 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| MUSC Medical Center Charleston, SC · (843) 792-2300 HB CULTURE URINE IVLT | $363.00 | $726.00 | — | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness Ladson, SC CULTURE BONE NOT MARROW | $905.00 | $905.00 | $147.51–$859.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Summerville Hospital Summerville, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE BONE NOT MARROW | $905.00 | $905.00 | $147.51–$859.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital Moncks Corner, SC · (843) 847-4100 CULTURE BONE NOT MARROW | $905.00 | $905.00 | $147.51–$859.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $27.95, median $65.23, highest $245.00 — a 8.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 5 facilities here, median $27.95. 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 0 of 3 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 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.