Bacterial culture (wound) cost in El Paso, TX
In El Paso, TX, 7 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $20.16 to $134.00, with a median of $127.00. The lowest listed price is at University Medical Center Surgical Hospital — $106.84 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $69.48 at 296 hospitals.
Cash prices at 7 facilities across 2 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 Aug 6, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$20.16University Medical Center Surgical Hospital
Median$127.00half pay less
Highest$134.00in this market
Difference6.6×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 El Paso, TX.
median
Lowest $20.16Highest $1,166.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital lowest Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO CULT WOUND | $20.16 | $100.80 | $3.10–$592.74 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital lowest Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO CULT BODY FLD | $20.16 | $100.80 | $3.10–$1,464.39 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital lowest Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO CULT CSF | $20.16 | $100.80 | $3.10–$615.32 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital lowest Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO CULT ROUTINE | $20.16 | $100.80 | $3.10–$1,020.54 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital lowest Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO CULT THROAT | $20.16 | $100.80 | $3.10–$658.37 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital lowest Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO CULT SCR SPUTUM | $20.16 | $100.80 | $3.10–$712.17 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO CULT CSF | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$775.33 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO CULT BODY FLD | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$723.64 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO CULT ROUTINE | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$110.96 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO CULT SCR SPUTUM | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$92.44 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO CULT THROAT | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$484.60 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO CULT WOUND | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$1,236.11 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO CULT SCR SPUTUM | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$92.44 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO CULT THROAT | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$484.60 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO CULT WOUND | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$1,236.11 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO CULT BODY FLD | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$723.64 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO CULT CSF | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$775.33 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO CULT ROUTINE | $21.17 | $105.84 | $3.10–$110.96 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX SH MICRO MRSA SCREEN CULTURE | $28.76 | $143.80 | $3.10–$592.04 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX MICRO MRSA SCREEN CULTURE | $30.20 | $150.99 | $3.10–$97.20 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 MICRO MRSA SCREEN CULTURE | $30.20 | $150.99 | $3.10–$97.20 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center Surgical Hospital Dieter El Paso, TX CULTURE OTHER SOURCE | $35.78 | $178.92 | $3.10–$752.22 | 80% | — source file |
| University Medical Center El Paso El Paso, TX · (915) 521-7602 CULTURE OTHER SOURCE | $35.78 | $178.92 | $3.10–$752.22 | 80% | — source file |
| PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso El Paso, TX Sputum Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $7.41–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso El Paso, TX Body Fluid Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $7.41–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULT THROAT | $127.00 | $127.00 | $107.95 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE RESPIRATORY | $127.00 | $127.00 | $107.95 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULT THROAT | $127.00 | $127.00 | $107.95 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULT THROAT | $134.00 | $134.00 | $92.46 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE BODY FLUID | $134.00 | $134.00 | $113.90 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE RESPIRATORY | $134.00 | $134.00 | $8.04–$127.30 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULT THROAT | $134.00 | $134.00 | $92.46 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso El Paso, TX Culture, Wound Aerobic | $204.75 | $204.75 | $7.41–$174.04 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso El Paso, TX Aerobic culture | $204.75 | $204.75 | $7.41–$174.04 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $684.00 | $684.00 | $471.96 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $684.00 | $684.00 | $581.40 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $684.00 | $684.00 | $41.04–$649.80 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULT ENVIRON EPIDEMI | $684.00 | $684.00 | $581.40 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE EYE | $723.00 | $723.00 | $614.55 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE EYE | $723.00 | $723.00 | $43.38–$686.85 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE EYE | $723.00 | $723.00 | $43.38–$686.85 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE EYE | $723.00 | $723.00 | $614.55 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE TISSUE | $781.00 | $781.00 | $46.86–$741.95 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE TISSUE | $781.00 | $781.00 | $46.86–$741.95 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE TISSUE | $781.00 | $781.00 | $663.85 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE TISSUE | $781.00 | $781.00 | $538.89 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE SPUTUM | $939.00 | $939.00 | $56.34–$892.05 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE SPUTUM | $939.00 | $939.00 | $56.34–$892.05 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE SPUTUM | $939.00 | $939.00 | $56.34–$892.05 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE SPUTUM | $939.00 | $939.00 | $647.91 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $942.00 | $942.00 | $800.70 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $942.00 | $942.00 | $649.98 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $942.00 | $942.00 | $800.70 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULT NASOPHARYNGEAL | $942.00 | $942.00 | $649.98 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE RESPIRATORY | $951.00 | $951.00 | $57.06–$903.45 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE RESPIRATORY | $951.00 | $951.00 | $57.06–$903.45 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $958.00 | $958.00 | $57.48–$910.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE WOUND | $958.00 | $958.00 | $57.48–$910.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $958.00 | $958.00 | $661.02 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $958.00 | $958.00 | $57.48–$910.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE WOUND | $958.00 | $958.00 | $661.02 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE WOUND | $958.00 | $958.00 | $814.30 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE WOUND | $958.00 | $958.00 | $57.48–$910.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $958.00 | $958.00 | $814.30 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE BONE MARROW | $998.00 | $998.00 | $848.30 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE BONE MARROW | $998.00 | $998.00 | $59.88–$948.10 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE BONE MARROW | $998.00 | $998.00 | $688.62 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE BONE MARROW | $998.00 | $998.00 | $688.62 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE EAR | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $854.25 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE GENITAL | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $60.30–$954.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE GENITAL | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $854.25 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE EAR | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $60.30–$954.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE GENITAL | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $60.30–$954.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE EAR | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $60.30–$954.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE GENITAL | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $854.25 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE EAR | $1,005.00 | $1,005.00 | $693.45 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Rehab East El Paso, TX CULTURE ABSCESS | $1,025.00 | $1,025.00 | $871.25 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE ABSCESS | $1,025.00 | $1,025.00 | $61.50–$973.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE ABSCESS | $1,025.00 | $1,025.00 | $61.50–$973.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE ABSCESS | $1,025.00 | $1,025.00 | $61.50–$973.75 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Del Sol Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE BODY FLUID | $1,166.00 | $1,166.00 | $69.96–$1,107.70 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Medical Center El Paso, TX · (915) 521-1200 CULTURE BODY FLUID | $1,166.00 | $1,166.00 | $69.96–$1,107.70 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Las Palmas Rehab El Paso, TX CULTURE BODY FLUID | $1,166.00 | $1,166.00 | $69.96–$1,107.70 | — | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $20.16, median $127.00, highest $134.00 — a 6.6× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 3 facilities here, median $21.17. 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 2 of 7 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.
7 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 87070 ($92.00). 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.
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXCULTURE BODY FLUID (ROUTINE) | $8.00 | file |
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXCULTURE C.S.F. | $8.00 | file |
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXCULTURE BODY SITE (ROUTINE) | $8.00 | file |
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXMRSA SCREEN | $8.00 | file |
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXCULTURE SPUTUM | $8.00 | file |
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXCULTURE THROAT | $8.00 | file |
| El Paso Children's Hospital El Paso, TXCULTURE WOUND (ROUTINE | $8.00 | file |