Bacterial culture (wound) cost in St. Louis, MO
In St. Louis, MO-IL, 17 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid): from $33.80 to $200.88, with a median of $67.70. The lowest listed price is at Mercy Hospital St Louis — $33.90 less than the median here. Across Missouri, the median is $67.70 at 63 hospitals.
Cash prices at 17 facilities across 15 cities for code 87070, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 6, 2026 and Jun 10, 2026.
Lowest$33.80Mercy Hospital St Louis
Median$67.70half of hospitals charge less
Highest$200.88in this market
Difference5.9×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 St. Louis, MO-IL.
median
Lowest $33.80Highest $200.88
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospital St Louis lowest Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Placenta File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $33.80 | $52.00 | $3.38–$52.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Aerobic Only+5 more lines at this price File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $38.35 | $59.00 | $3.84–$59.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Spinal Fluid+3 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $38.35 | $59.00 | $3.84–$59.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Aerobic Only+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $38.35 | $59.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Bone Marrow+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $38.35 | $59.00 | $7.76–$14.56 | 35% |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO · (314) 872-6400 Sputum Culture File of Apr 24, 2026 · source file | $39.32 | $49.15 | — | 20% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Nasopharyngeal File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $40.30 | $62.00 | $4.03–$62.00 | 35% |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO · (314) 872-6400 Aerobic Culture File of Apr 24, 2026 · source file | $48.92 | $61.14 | — | 20% |
| Gateway Regional Medical Center Granite City, IL · (618) 798-3000 L188227 CULTURE BACT File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $51.72 | $86.20 | $86.20 | 40% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Throat File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $59.15 | $91.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Touchette Regional Hospital Cahokia Heights, IL · (618) 332-3060 Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood or stool, aerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates File of Apr 13, 2026 · source file | $60.14 | $97.00 | $3.68–$92.00 | 38% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 NOSE CULTURE File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $60.90 | $87.00 | $31.32–$124.29 | 30% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Ear File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $63.05 | $97.00 | $6.31–$97.00 | 35% |
| Shriners Childrens - St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 432-3600 BACTERIAL CULTURE; ANY OTHER SOURCE EXCEPT URINE; BLOOD OR STOOL; AEROBIC File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $67.70 | $67.70 | $7.35–$14.80 | — |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Throat File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $74.10 | $114.00 | $7.41–$102.60 | 35% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 OTHER ROUTINE CULTURE File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $76.30 | $109.00 | $39.24–$155.71 | 30% |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO · (314) 872-6400 Genital Culture File of Apr 24, 2026 · source file | $76.83 | $96.03 | — | 20% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Ear+4 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $78.65 | $121.00 | $7.76–$108.90 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture IV Catheter Tip+4 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $83.20 | $128.00 | $7.76–$128.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Respiratory File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $83.85 | $129.00 | $7.76–$14.56 | 35% |
| Community Hospital of Staunton Staunton, IL · (618) 635-2200 CULTURE O/T URINE BLD STOOL File of Feb 9, 2026 · source file | $84.40 | $168.80 | $48.80–$153.61 | 50% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Placenta File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $84.50 | $130.00 | $8.45–$117.00 | 35% |
| Anderson Hospital Maryville, IL · (618) 288-5711 CULTURE O/T URINE BLD STOOL File of Feb 6, 2026 · source file | $86.25 | $172.50 | $8.06–$155.25 | 50% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Placenta File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $87.10 | $134.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Eye+2 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $91.00 | $140.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Eye Culture File of Mar 10, 2026 · source file | $92.00 | $92.00 | $48.12–$78.20 | — |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Throat File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $92.30 | $142.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| St Josephs Hospital Hospital Sisters Third Order of St Francis Breese, IL · (618) 526-4511 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $97.20 | $135.00 | $7.41–$135.00 | 28% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Resp Cystic Fibrosis Pt+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $98.15 | $151.00 | $9.82–$135.90 | 35% |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 10, 2026 · source file | $100.00 | $100.00 | $52.30–$85.00 | — |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Bronchial Brush File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $100.10 | $154.00 | $7.76–$14.56 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Burn Wound+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $100.75 | $155.00 | $10.08–$139.50 | 35% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE MRSA (NARES/ THROAT/ RECTUM) File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $104.30 | $149.00 | $53.64–$212.86 | 30% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Aerobic Only File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $104.65 | $161.00 | $7.76–$14.56 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Respiratory File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $104.65 | $161.00 | $10.47–$161.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Bone Marrow+1 more line at this price File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $107.90 | $166.00 | $10.79–$166.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Bronchial Brush File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $109.85 | $169.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Blood Product File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $110.50 | $170.00 | $11.05–$170.00 | 35% |
| Hshs Holy Family Hospital Greenville, IL · (618) 664-1230 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE -90+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $110.88 | $154.00 | $7.78–$154.00 | 28% |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Ear Culture+4 more lines at this price File of Mar 10, 2026 · source file | $112.00 | $112.00 | $58.58–$95.20 | — |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture Throat File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $120.90 | $186.00 | $7.62–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Placenta File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $121.55 | $187.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Any Other Source File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $122.85 | $189.00 | $12.29–$189.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Blood Product+5 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $124.15 | $191.00 | $7.76–$191.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Throat File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $127.40 | $196.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Wound Aerobic File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $127.40 | $196.00 | $12.74–$176.40 | 35% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS-NASOPHARYNGEAL CUL+1 more line at this price File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $128.10 | $183.00 | $65.88–$261.43 | 30% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Eye+3 more lines at this price File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $129.35 | $199.00 | $7.76–$199.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture IV Catheter Tip+7 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $129.35 | $199.00 | $7.62–$199.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Sputum File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $130.65 | $201.00 | $13.07–$201.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Washington Washington, MO · (636) 239-8000 Culture Sputum File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $130.65 | $201.00 | $13.07–$180.90 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Wound Aerobic File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $131.30 | $202.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture Bronchial Brush File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $131.95 | $203.00 | $7.62–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture Burn Wound+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $132.60 | $204.00 | $7.62–$204.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital South Saint Louis, MO · (314) 525-1000 Culture Resp Cystic Fibrosis Pt File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $133.25 | $205.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture Sputum+2 more lines at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $137.15 | $211.00 | $7.62–$211.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Burn Wound File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $138.45 | $213.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture Placenta File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $138.45 | $213.00 | $13.85–$213.00 | 35% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE THROAT+1 more line at this price File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $138.60 | $198.00 | $71.28–$282.86 | 30% |
| Mercy Hospital Lincoln Troy, MO · (636) 528-8551 Culture Wound Aerobic+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $141.70 | $218.00 | $7.62–$218.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital St Louis Saint Louis, MO · (314) 251-6000 Culture Sputum File of Jun 4, 2026 · source file | $143.65 | $221.00 | $14.37–$221.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Bone Marrow+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $147.55 | $227.00 | $7.76–$19.40 | 35% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE GC SCREEN+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $149.80 | $214.00 | $77.04–$305.71 | 30% |
| St Josephs Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis Highland, IL · (618) 651-2600 CULTURE OTHR SPECIMN AEROBIC File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $150.48 | $209.00 | $17.24–$209.00 | 28% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Bronchial Brush File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $150.80 | $232.00 | $15.08–$232.00 | 35% |
| Mercy Hospital Jefferson Festus, MO · (636) 933-1000 Culture Blood Product+1 more line at this price File of Jun 10, 2026 · source file | $151.45 | $233.00 | $7.76–$233.00 | 35% |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE WOUND+7 more lines at this price File of Mar 21, 2026 · source file | $158.20 | $226.00 | $81.36–$322.86 | 30% |
| St Elizabeths Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis O'Fallon, IL · (618) 234-2120 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $200.88 | $279.00 | $7.41–$279.00 | 28% |
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 $33.80, median $67.70, highest $200.88 — a 5.9× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 10 facilities here, median $89.13. 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 10 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 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.