Bacterial culture (wound) cost in Pittsburgh, PA — inpatient
In Pittsburgh, PA, 17 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid) as an inpatient: from $16.80 to $438.00, with a median of $86.20. The lowest listed price is at Monogahela Valley Hospital — $69.40 less than the median here. Across Pennsylvania, the median is $61.20 at 93 hospitals.
Cash prices at 17 facilities across 12 cities for code 87070, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 29, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 2, 2026 and Aug 6, 2026.
Lowest$16.80Monogahela Valley Hospital
Median$86.20half pay less
Highest$438.00in this market
Difference26.1×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 Pittsburgh, PA.
median
Lowest $16.80Highest $438.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monogahela Valley Hospital lowest Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 FLUID CULTURE | $16.80 | $28.00 | $12.60 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 NOSE CULTURE | $21.06 | $35.10 | $24.57 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE SURGICAL SITE | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 PERI FLD BLD CULT | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE NASAL SINUS | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-PERICARDIAL FLUID | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-PLEURAL FLUID | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-JOINT FLUID | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-GALLBLADDER/BILE | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-PERITONEAL FLD/ABD CAV | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-TISSUE BX | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-IV CATH TIP | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-EAR | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-EYE | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-BRON WASHING | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-THROAT | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE-NOSE | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CSF CULTURE SPINAL FLUID | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE WOUND | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 RESP CULTURE | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 GENITAL CULTURE | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE DECUBITUS | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 CULTURE ABSCESS | $22.80 | $38.00 | $17.10 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 IULT-ROUTINE AND GS | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 IULTURE-FLUID | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 CSF CULTURE/SMEAR | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 CULTURE SMEAR | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 CULTURE EYE OR EAR | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 CULTURE SPUTUM | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 IULTURE-ROUTINE | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 IULT GASTRIC | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 IULT-ROUTINE | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington, PA · (724) 225-7000 CULTURE-SPUTUM | $23.40 | $39.00 | $27.30 | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE UTERINE | $24.00 | $40.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Kittanning, PA DEF CULTURE OTHER | $32.40 | $108.00 | $97.20 | 70% | Mar 2, 2026 source file |
| Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Kittanning, PA LEGIONELLA CULTURE | $32.40 | $108.00 | $97.20 | 70% | Mar 2, 2026 source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 .CULTURE NASAL | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE EYE | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE VAGINAL | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE BRONCHIAL WASH | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE CSF | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 .CULTURE PENIS | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 .CULT BACT AER EXCEPT UR | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 .CULTURE GENITAL DRAIN | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE BODY FLUID | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE WOUND | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 .CULTURE NOSE | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE SPUTUM | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE THROAT | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE TISSUE | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE CATH TIP | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE CERVIX | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville, PA · (724) 628-1500 CULTURE EAR | $50.40 | $84.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Jameson New Castle, PA · (724) 656-4100 CULTURE AEROBIC | $51.00 | $85.00 | $63.75–$74.80 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Jameson New Castle, PA · (724) 656-4100 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $51.00 | $85.00 | $63.75–$74.80 | 40% | — source file |
| Canonsburg General Hospital Canonsburg, PA · (724) 745-6100 HC CULT AERBC OTHR PRESUM ID | $54.60 | $70.00 | $5.69–$10.36 | 22% | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| AHN Wexford Hospital Wexford, PA · (412) 295-3319 HC CULT AERBC OTHR PRESUM ID | $54.76 | $74.00 | $5.69–$9.38 | 26% | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela, PA · (724) 258-1000 PERTUSSIS CULTURE | $60.60 | $101.00 | $45.45 | 40% | — source file |
| Heritage Valley Beaver Beaver, PA · (412) 728-7000 Sputum Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $21.55–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Pittsburgh Oakdale, PA Sputum Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $25.00–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Pittsburgh Oakdale, PA Aerobic culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $25.00–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Pittsburgh Oakdale, PA Culture, Wound Aerobic | $86.20 | $86.20 | $25.00–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Pittsburgh Oakdale, PA Body Fluid Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $25.00–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| Heritage Valley Beaver Beaver, PA · (412) 728-7000 Body Fluid Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $21.55–$73.27 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC McKeesport McKeesport, PA · (412) 664-2000 CULTURE AEROBIC | $114.60 | $191.00 | $66.28–$162.35 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC McKeesport McKeesport, PA · (412) 664-2000 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $114.60 | $191.00 | $66.28–$162.35 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC McKeesport McKeesport, PA · (412) 664-2000 EYE CULTURE | $114.60 | $191.00 | $66.28–$162.35 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 232-8111 CULTURE CF SPUTUM | $121.20 | $202.00 | $61.81–$181.80 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 232-8111 CULTURE AEROBIC | $121.20 | $202.00 | $61.81–$181.80 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 232-8111 THROAT CULTURE | $121.20 | $202.00 | $61.81–$181.80 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 232-8111 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $121.20 | $202.00 | $61.81–$181.80 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville, PA · (412) 357-3000 OTHR SOURCE AEROBIC ISOL P0125 | $128.40 | $214.00 | $72.76–$171.20 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville, PA · (412) 357-3000 CULTURE THROAT | $128.40 | $214.00 | $72.76–$171.20 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville, PA · (412) 357-3000 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $128.40 | $214.00 | $72.76–$171.20 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville, PA · (412) 357-3000 CULTURE CF SPUTUM | $128.40 | $214.00 | $72.76–$171.20 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville, PA · (412) 357-3000 CULTURE AEROBIC | $128.40 | $214.00 | $72.76–$171.20 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 692-5325 CULTURE AEROBIC | $131.40 | $219.00 | $87.60–$197.10 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 692-5325 GENITAL CULTURE | $131.40 | $219.00 | $87.60–$197.10 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 692-5325 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $131.40 | $219.00 | $87.60–$197.10 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 692-5325 GRAM NEGATIVE IDENTIFICATION | $131.40 | $219.00 | $87.60–$197.10 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| Heritage Valley Beaver Beaver, PA · (412) 728-7000 Aerobic culture | $142.00 | $142.00 | $35.50–$120.70 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| Heritage Valley Beaver Beaver, PA · (412) 728-7000 Culture, Wound Aerobic | $142.00 | $142.00 | $35.50–$120.70 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Passavant - McCandless Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 367-6700 HC CATHETER TIP CULTURE | $235.20 | $392.00 | $141.12–$364.56 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Passavant - McCandless Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 367-6700 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL OTHER SOURCE | $235.20 | $392.00 | $141.12–$364.56 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 GENITAL CULTURE | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 THROAT CULTURE | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 CULTURE AEROBIC | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 NASOPHARYNGEAL CULTURE | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 OTHR SOURCE AEROBIC ISOL P0125 | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 OTHR SOURCE AEROBIC ISOL P0137 | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 CULTURE THROAT | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 OTHR SOURCE AEROBIC ISOL P0132 | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 CULTURE NASOPHARYNGEAL | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 784-4000 EYE CULTURE | $250.20 | $417.00 | $108.84–$354.45 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 641-4010 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL OTHER SOURCE | $300.00 | $500.00 | $180.00–$460.00 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 641-4010 HC CATHETER TIP CULTURE | $300.00 | $500.00 | $180.00–$460.00 | 40% | — source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 NOCARDIA CULT AND GRAM STAIN | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 GENITAL CULTURE | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 OTHR SOURCE AEROBIC ISOL P0137 | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 CULTURE CF SPUTUM | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 CULTURE AEROBIC | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 GRAM NEGATIVE IDENTIFICATION | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 OTHR SOURCE AEROBIC ISOL P0132 | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, PA · (412) 647-2345 CULTURE BACT DEFINITIVE BRS | $438.00 | $730.00 | $474.50–$620.50 | 40% | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $16.80, median $86.20, highest $438.00 — a 26.1× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 16 facilities here, median $84.68 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 11 of 16 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 4 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.
4 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.
| Advanced Surgical Hospital Washington, PABACTERIAL CULTURE | $8.62 | file |
| Advanced Surgical Hospital Washington, PACULTURE WOUND AEROBIC 87070 | $8.62 | file |
| Advanced Surgical Hospital Washington, PACULTURE SPUTUM | $8.62 | file |
| Advanced Surgical Hospital Washington, PACULTURE BODY FLUID - 87070 | $8.62 | file |