Bacterial culture (wound) cost in Indianapolis, IN
In Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, 20 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $32.40 to $195.51, with a median of $151.70. The lowest listed price is at Hendricks Regional Health — $119.30 less than the median here. Across Indiana, the median is $93.42 at 86 hospitals.
Cash prices at 20 facilities across 12 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 Mar 31, 2026 and Sep 25, 2026.
Lowest$32.40Hendricks Regional Health
Median$151.70half pay less
Highest$195.51in this market
Difference6.0×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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN.
median
Lowest $32.40Highest $2,143.80
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendricks Regional Health lowest Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB ROUTINE CULTURE AEROBIC | $32.40 | $81.00 | $5.39–$77.76 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB CULTURE, EYE | $35.60 | $89.00 | $5.81–$85.44 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB CULTURE, EAR | $35.60 | $89.00 | $8.62–$85.44 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB BODY FLUID CULTURE | $37.60 | $94.00 | $5.57–$90.24 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB CULTURE TIPS | $37.60 | $94.00 | $8.62–$90.24 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB CULTURE, SPINAL FL | $37.60 | $94.00 | $5.57–$90.24 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB SPUTUM CULTURE | $37.60 | $94.00 | $8.62–$90.24 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB UPPER RESP CULTURE | $37.60 | $94.00 | $5.18–$90.24 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB WOUND CULTURE | $37.60 | $94.00 | $8.62–$218.06 | 60% | — source file |
| Hendricks Regional Health Danville, IN · (317) 745-4451 HB CULTURE, GENITAL | $37.60 | $94.00 | $8.62–$115.36 | 60% | — source file |
| Franciscan St Francis Health - Carmel Carmel, IN · (317) 528-5000 Bacterial Culture - Othr Source 671 | $41.58 | $180.00 | $6.81–$162.00 | 77% | — source file |
| Franciscan Health Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · (317) 528-5000 Bacterial Culture - Othr Source 671 | $41.58 | $180.00 | $6.81–$162.00 | 77% | — source file |
| Franciscan St Francis Health - Carmel Carmel, IN · (317) 528-5000 Bacterial Culture - Othr Source 675 | $41.58 | $180.00 | $6.81–$162.00 | 77% | — source file |
| Franciscan Health Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · (317) 528-5000 Bacterial Culture - Othr Source 675 | $41.58 | $180.00 | $6.81–$162.00 | 77% | — source file |
| Franciscan Health Mooresville Mooresville, IN · (317) 831-1160 Bacterial Culture - Othr Source 671 | $45.72 | $180.00 | $6.81–$162.00 | 75% | — source file |
| Franciscan Health Mooresville Mooresville, IN · (317) 831-1160 Bacterial Culture - Othr Source 675 | $45.72 | $180.00 | $6.81–$162.00 | 75% | — source file |
| Rehabilitation Hospital Of Indiana Indianapolis, IN Respiratory Culture and Stain RHI | $48.45 | $85.00 | $8.62 | 43% | — source file |
| Rehabilitation Hospital Of Indiana Indianapolis, IN Wound Culture and Stain RHI | $48.45 | $85.00 | — | 43% | — source file |
| Rehabilitation Hospital Of Indiana Indianapolis, IN Respiratory Culture and Stain RHI | $48.45 | $85.00 | — | 43% | — source file |
| Rehabilitation Hospital Of Indiana Indianapolis, IN Wound Culture and Stain RHI | $48.45 | $85.00 | $8.62 | 43% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE THROAT | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE SPUTUM | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE SPINAL FLUID | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE RESPIRATORY | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE PLACENTA | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE GENITAL | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE EYE | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE EAR | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE IV CATHETER TIP | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE ANY OTHER SOURCE | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE BLOOD PRODUCT | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE AEROBIC ONLY | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE NASOPHARYNGEAL | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 CULTURE WOUND AEROBIC | $52.80 | $88.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Major Hospital Shelbyville, IN · (317) 392-3211 Bacterial culture, any other source except urine, blood or stool, aerobic | $68.20 | $220.00 | $8.62–$217.80 | 69% | Apr 7, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Franklin, IN · (317) 736-3300 Bacterial culture, any other source except urine, blood or stool, aerobic | $90.40 | $113.00 | $8.62–$109.61 | 20% | May 5, 2026 source file |
| Eskenazi Health Indianapolis, IN · (317) 880-4818 HC Bacterial Culture Other Source | $91.80 | $102.00 | $8.00–$102.00 | 10% | — source file |
| Hancock Regional Hospital Greenfield, IN · (317) 462-5544 Bacterial culture, any other source except urine, blood or stool, aerobic | $150.40 | $188.00 | $8.62–$564.00 | 20% | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $153.00 | $255.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $153.00 | $255.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Seton Speciality Hospital Indianapolis, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Seton Speciality Hospital Indianapolis, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $157.20 | $262.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $159.00 | $265.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $159.00 | $265.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $160.20 | $267.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 #CULT BACT OTH SRC;AER | $160.20 | $267.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Witham Memorial Hospital Lebanon, IN · (765) 485-8000 Bacterial culture, any other source except urine, blood or stool, aerobic | $195.51 | $279.30 | $8.62–$698.25 | 30% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $208.20 | $347.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $208.20 | $347.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Seton Speciality Hospital Indianapolis, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Vincent Seton Speciality Hospital Indianapolis, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN CULT BACT OTHSRC EX URN/BLD/ST | $244.80 | $408.00 | $2.65–$19.65 | 40% | — source file |
| Eskenazi Health Indianapolis, IN · (317) 880-4818 HC Bacterial Culture Other Source | $2,143.80 | $2,382.00 | $53.00–$2,382.00 | 10% | — source file |
Outpatient: lowest $32.40, median $151.70, highest $195.51 — a 6.0× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 15 facilities here, median $157.20. 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 9 of 19 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.