Bacterial culture (wound) cost in Portland, OR
In Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, 16 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $9.10 to $116.35, with a median of $37.50. The lowest listed price is at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center — $28.40 less than the median here. Across Oregon, the median is $52.38 at 47 hospitals.
Cash prices at 16 facilities across 9 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 Mar 18, 2026 and Apr 1, 2026.
Lowest$9.10Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center
Median$37.50half of hospitals charge less
Highest$116.35in this market
Difference12.8×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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA.
median
Lowest $9.10Highest $325.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center lowest Vancouver, WA · (360) 487-1000 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL ORGANISM ID File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $9.10 | $14.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Vancouver, WA · (360) 487-1000 HC CULT AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $14.85 | $22.85 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center Gresham, OR · (503) 674-1122 HC CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $16.96 | $26.10 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-7682 HC CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $16.96 | $26.10 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center Tualatin, OR · (503) 692-1212 HC CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $16.96 | $26.10 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Vancouver, WA · (360) 487-1000 HC CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $16.96 | $26.10 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-2200 HC CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $16.96 | $26.10 | — | 35% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Westside Hillsboro, OR · (971) 310-0100 CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $35.70 | $42.00 | $11.00–$34.76 | 15% |
| Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center Clackamas, OR · (503) 652-2880 CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $35.70 | $42.00 | $11.00–$34.76 | 15% |
| Providence Portland Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 215-1111 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL CDM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $37.50 | $50.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence St Vincent Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 216-1234 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL CDM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $37.50 | $50.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Milwaukie Hospital Milwaukie, OR · (503) 513-8300 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL CDM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $37.50 | $50.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center Oregon City, OR · (503) 656-1631 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL CDM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $37.50 | $50.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Newberg Medical Center Newberg, OR · (503) 537-1555 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL CDM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $37.50 | $50.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Milwaukie Hospital Milwaukie, OR · (503) 513-8300 HC CULTURE-IV CATH TIP+15 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $48.75 | $65.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Portland Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 215-1111 HC CULTURE-CSF+15 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $48.75 | $65.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence St Vincent Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 216-1234 HC CULTURE-GENITAL-FEMALE+15 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $48.75 | $65.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Newberg Medical Center Newberg, OR · (503) 537-1555 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL LAB+15 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $48.75 | $65.00 | — | 25% |
| Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center Oregon City, OR · (503) 656-1631 HC CUL BACT XCPT URINE BLOOD/STOOL AEROBIC ISOL LAB+15 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $48.75 | $65.00 | — | 25% |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-7682 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL ORGANISM ID File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $52.65 | $81.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-2200 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL ORGANISM ID+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $52.65 | $81.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center Gresham, OR · (503) 674-1122 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL ORGANISM ID File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $52.65 | $81.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center Tualatin, OR · (503) 692-1212 HC CULTURE BACTERIAL ORGANISM ID File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $52.65 | $81.00 | — | 35% |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR · (503) 494-9000 Culture, H Pylori Aerobic File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $55.90 | $86.00 | $6.90–$86.00 | 35% |
| Hillsboro Medical Center Hillsboro, OR · (503) 681-1111 CULTURE OTHR SPECIMN AEROBIC File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $65.00 | $100.00 | $6.72–$100.00 | 35% |
| Hillsboro Medical Center Hillsboro, OR · (503) 681-1111 Culture, Urogenital File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $66.95 | $103.00 | $6.72–$103.00 | 35% |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR · (503) 494-9000 Culture, Urogenital File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $66.95 | $103.00 | $6.90–$103.00 | 35% |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR · (503) 494-9000 Culture, Other File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $72.15 | $111.00 | $6.90–$111.00 | 35% |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-2200 HC CULTURE AEROBIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $72.15 | $111.00 | — | 35% |
| Shriners Childrens - Portland Portland, OR · (541) 241-5090 CULTURE OTHR SPECIMN AEROBIC File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $78.40 | $78.40 | $6.90–$30.17 | — |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR · (503) 494-9000 CULTURE OTHR SPECIMN AEROBIC File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $87.75 | $135.00 | $6.90–$135.00 | 35% |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR · (503) 494-9000 Culture, CSF File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $88.40 | $136.00 | $6.90–$136.00 | 35% |
| Hillsboro Medical Center Hillsboro, OR · (503) 681-1111 Culture, CSF File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $88.40 | $136.00 | $6.72–$136.00 | 35% |
| Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center Tualatin, OR · (503) 692-1212 HC CULT AEROBIC+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $101.40 | $156.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Vancouver, WA · (360) 487-1000 HC CULTURE THROAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $101.40 | $156.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-2200 HC CULTURE THROAT+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $101.40 | $156.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-7682 HC CULTURE THROAT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $101.40 | $156.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center Gresham, OR · (503) 674-1122 HC CULT AEROBIC+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $101.40 | $156.00 | — | 35% |
| PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Vancouver, WA · (360) 256-2000 BACTERIAL CULTURE; ANY OTHER SOURCE EXCEPT URINE; BLOOD OR STOOL; AEROBIC File of Mar 20, 2026 · source file | $116.35 | $179.00 | $3.45–$27.97 | 35% |
| PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Vancouver, WA · (360) 256-2000 CULTURE OTHR SPECIMN AEROBIC File of Mar 20, 2026 · source file | $119.60 | $184.00 | $3.45–$27.97 | 35% |
| Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-2200 HC CULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $168.35 | $259.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center Gresham, OR · (503) 674-1122 HC CULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $168.35 | $259.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center Tualatin, OR · (503) 692-1212 HC CULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $168.35 | $259.00 | — | 35% |
| Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center Portland, OR · (503) 413-7682 HC CULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $168.35 | $259.00 | — | 35% |
| Hillsboro Medical Center Hillsboro, OR · (503) 681-1111 Culture, Sputum Cf File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $500.00 | $6.72–$500.00 | 35% |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR · (503) 494-9000 Culture, Sputum Cf File of Mar 23, 2026 · source file | $325.00 | $500.00 | $6.90–$500.00 | 35% |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $9.10, median $37.50, highest $116.35 — a 12.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 12 facilities here, median $35.70. 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 6 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.
2 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 87070 ($87.04). 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.
| Hospital | Cash price | File |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Vancouver, WAHC CULTURE PHARMACEUTICALS | $5.92 | file |
| Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center Vancouver, WAHC CULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL | $6.09 | file |
File Link to the hospital's own price file.