Bacterial culture (wound) cost in Milwaukee, WI
In Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI, 17 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $13.78 to $95.93, with a median of $80.00. The lowest listed price is at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus and 4 other hospitals — $66.22 less than the median here. Across Wisconsin, the median is $77.35 at 98 hospitals.
Cash prices at 17 facilities across 11 cities for code 87070, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Nov 21, 2025 and Mar 23, 2026.
Lowest$13.78Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus + 4 more
Median$80.00half pay less
Highest$95.93in this market
Difference7.0×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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI.
median
Lowest $13.78Highest $126.09
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus lowest Mequon, WI HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital lowest Franklin, WI HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital lowest Franklin, WI HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Francis Hospital lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 647-5000 HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Francis Hospital lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 647-5000 HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 447-2130 HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 585-1374 HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 585-1374 HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 585-1374 HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 585-1374 HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital lowest Milwaukee, WI · (414) 447-2130 HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.26 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus lowest Mequon, WI HC CULTURE, WOUND AEROBIC WITH GRAM STAIN | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus lowest Mequon, WI HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus lowest Mequon, WI HC CULT BACT EX URINE, BLOOD, STOOL | $13.78 | $26.00 | $9.05–$20.41 | 47% | — source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE STERILITY CHECK | $46.06 | $83.75 | $58.63–$79.56 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE STERILITY CHECK | $46.06 | $83.75 | $58.63–$79.56 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC BACTERIAL CULTURE AEROBIC CDUODQ | $52.94 | $96.25 | $67.38–$91.44 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC BACTERIAL CULTURE AEROBIC CDUODQ | $52.94 | $96.25 | $67.38–$91.44 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Franklin Campus Franklin, WI · (414) 447-2130 HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $54.06 | $102.00 | $9.05–$40.50 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital Milwaukee, WI · (414) 447-2130 HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $54.06 | $102.00 | $9.05–$40.50 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension St. Francis Hospital Milwaukee, WI · (414) 647-5000 HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $54.06 | $102.00 | $9.05–$40.50 | 47% | — source file |
| Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital Franklin, WI HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $54.06 | $102.00 | $9.05–$40.50 | 47% | — source file |
| Aurora St Lukes Medical Center Milwaukee, WI · (414) 649-6000 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora Medical Center Grafton Grafton, WI · (262) 329-1000 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora Psychiatric Hospital Wauwatosa, WI · (414) 454-6600 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora St Lukes Medical Center of Aurora Health Care Metro Milwaukee, WI · (414) 649-6000 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora St. Luke's South Shore of Aurora Health Care Metro Cudahy, WI · (414) 649-6000 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora Medical Center Kenosha Kenosha, WI · (262) 948-5600 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora Medical Center Washington County Hartford, WI · (262) 673-2300 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora Medical Center Summit Summit, WI · (262) 434-1600 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Aurora West Allis Medical Center West Allis, WI · (414) 328-6000 CULTURE, AEROBIC | $80.00 | $160.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 50% | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC 14 DAY STERILITY CHECK | $84.15 | $153.00 | $107.10–$145.35 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC 14 DAY STERILITY CHECK | $84.15 | $153.00 | $107.10–$145.35 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC BACTERIAL CULTURE AEROBIC CSCF | $86.76 | $157.75 | $110.43–$149.86 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC BACTERIAL CULTURE AEROBIC CSCF | $86.76 | $157.75 | $110.43–$149.86 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE CSF | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE FLUID | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE MISCELLANEOUS | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE BAL | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE CSF | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE ENDOTRACHEAL ASPIRATE | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE FLUID | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE MISCELLANEOUS | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE BAL | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE ENDOTRACHEAL ASPIRATE | $91.03 | $165.50 | $115.85–$157.23 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus Milwaukee, WI · (414) 585-1374 HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $91.69 | $173.00 | $9.05–$39.33 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus Mequon, WI HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $91.69 | $173.00 | $9.05–$39.33 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Milwaukee Campus Milwaukee, WI · (414) 585-1374 HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $91.69 | $173.00 | $9.05–$39.33 | 47% | — source file |
| Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital - Ozaukee Campus Mequon, WI HC CULTURE OTHER SPECIMEN AEROBIC | $91.69 | $173.00 | $9.05–$39.33 | 47% | — source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE BAL CF CBALCF | $91.99 | $167.25 | $117.08–$158.89 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE BAL CF CBALCF | $91.99 | $167.25 | $117.08–$158.89 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE TRACH ASPIRATE | $95.43 | $173.50 | $121.45–$164.83 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE TRACH ASPIRATE | $95.43 | $173.50 | $121.45–$164.83 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Glendale, WI TISSUE CULTURE | $95.93 | $181.00 | $8.36–$21.02 | 47% | — source file |
| Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Glendale, WI AEROBIC CULTURE SURGICAL | $95.93 | $181.00 | $8.36–$21.02 | 47% | — source file |
| Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Glendale, WI BODY FLUID CULTURE | $95.93 | $181.00 | $8.36–$21.02 | 47% | — source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE SPUTUM | $96.53 | $175.50 | $122.85–$166.73 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE SPUTUM | $96.53 | $175.50 | $122.85–$166.73 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $102.71 | $186.75 | $130.73–$177.41 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE CATHETER TIP | $102.71 | $186.75 | $130.73–$177.41 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE NASOPHARYNGEAL | $125.40 | $228.00 | $159.60–$216.60 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE NASOPHARYNGEAL | $125.40 | $228.00 | $159.60–$216.60 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE THROAT | $126.09 | $229.25 | $160.48–$217.79 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI · (414) 266-3954 HBC CULTURE THROAT | $126.09 | $229.25 | $160.48–$217.79 | 45% | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $13.78, median $80.00, highest $95.93 — a 7.0× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 13 facilities here, median $80.00. 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 15 of 17 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 1 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.