Bacterial culture (wound) cost in St. Louis, MO — inpatient
In St. Louis, MO-IL, 13 hospitals list a cash price for bacterial culture of a sample other than urine, blood or stool (wound, throat, fluid) as an inpatient: from $11.53 to $200.88, with a median of $86.20. The lowest listed price is at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis — $74.67 less than the median here. Across Missouri, the median is $68.30 at 64 hospitals.
Cash prices at 13 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 Feb 6, 2026 and Aug 6, 2026.
Lowest$11.53Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis
Median$86.20half pay less
Highest$200.88in this market
Difference17.4×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 $11.53Highest $345.05
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis lowest Chesterfield, MO NOCARDIA CULTURE | $11.53 | $11.53 | $11.53 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE, CATH-TIP | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE CSF | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE NARES | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE WOUND | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE FLUID/OTHER (NON CSF) | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO NOCARDIA CULTURE | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE- EAR | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE-ROUTINE | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE- GENITAL | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE- TISSUE | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE- RESPIRATORY | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE AEROBIC | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO LEGIONELLA CULTURE | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO SOLUTION CULTURE | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO WOUND CULTURE,AEROBIC | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital South Louis, MO CULTURE- EYE | $29.87 | $29.87 | $29.87 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO · (314) 872-6400 Sputum Culture | $39.32 | $49.15 | — | 20% | Apr 24, 2026 source file |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO · (314) 872-6400 Aerobic Culture | $48.92 | $61.14 | — | 20% | Apr 24, 2026 source file |
| Gateway Regional Medical Center Granite City, IL · (618) 798-3000 L188227 CULTURE BACT | $51.72 | $86.20 | $86.20 | 40% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 NOSE CULTURE | $60.90 | $87.00 | $54.11–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 OTHER ROUTINE CULTURE | $76.30 | $109.00 | $67.80–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital Maryland Heights, MO · (314) 872-6400 Genital Culture | $76.83 | $96.03 | — | 20% | Apr 24, 2026 source file |
| Community Hospital of Staunton Staunton, IL · (618) 635-2200 CULTURE O/T URINE BLD STOOL | $84.40 | $168.80 | $143.48–$153.61 | 50% | Feb 9, 2026 source file |
| St Lukes Rehabilitation Hospital Chesterfield, MO Body Fluid Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $60.34–$64.65 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| St Lukes Rehabilitation Hospital Chesterfield, MO Sputum Culture | $86.20 | $86.20 | $60.34–$64.65 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| Anderson Hospital Maryville, IL · (618) 288-5711 CULTURE O/T URINE BLD STOOL | $86.25 | $172.50 | $129.38–$155.25 | 50% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Eye Culture | $92.00 | $92.00 | $48.12–$78.20 | — | — source file |
| St Josephs Hospital Hospital Sisters Third Order of St Francis Breese, IL · (618) 526-4511 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE | $97.20 | $135.00 | $7.41–$135.00 | 28% | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Sputum Culture | $100.00 | $100.00 | $52.30–$85.00 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Body Fluid Culture | $100.00 | $100.00 | $52.30–$85.00 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture | $100.00 | $100.00 | $52.30–$85.00 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 MRSA Screen Culture | $100.00 | $100.00 | $52.30–$85.00 | — | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE MRSA (NARES/ THROAT/ RECTUM) | $104.30 | $149.00 | $92.68–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Hshs Holy Family Hospital Greenville, IL · (618) 664-1230 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE -90 | $110.88 | $154.00 | $7.78–$154.00 | 28% | — source file |
| Hshs Holy Family Hospital Greenville, IL · (618) 664-1230 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE | $110.88 | $154.00 | $7.78–$154.00 | 28% | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Wound Culture | $112.00 | $112.00 | $58.58–$95.20 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Nasal Culture | $112.00 | $112.00 | $58.58–$95.20 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Ear Culture | $112.00 | $112.00 | $58.58–$95.20 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Genital Culture | $112.00 | $112.00 | $58.58–$95.20 | — | — source file |
| Jersey Community Hospital Jerseyville, IL · (618) 498-6402 Throat Culture | $112.00 | $112.00 | $58.58–$95.20 | — | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 TEST BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS-NASOPHAR | $128.10 | $183.00 | $113.83–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS-NASOPHARYNGEAL CUL | $128.10 | $183.00 | $113.83–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE THROAT | $138.60 | $198.00 | $123.16–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE NOSE | $138.60 | $198.00 | $123.16–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL | $149.80 | $214.00 | $133.11–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE TISSUE | $149.80 | $214.00 | $133.11–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE AEROBIC | $149.80 | $214.00 | $133.11–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE GC SCREEN | $149.80 | $214.00 | $133.11–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| St Josephs Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis Highland, IL · (618) 651-2600 CULTURE OTHR SPECIMN AEROBIC | $150.48 | $209.00 | $17.24–$209.00 | 28% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE GENITAL | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE ROUTINE | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE BODY FLUID | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE CSF | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE WOUND | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE SPUTUM | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE EYE | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Carlinville Area Hospital Carlinville, IL · (217) 854-3141 CULTURE EAR | $158.20 | $226.00 | $140.57–$3,396.04 | 30% | — source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE- RESPIRATORY | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO LEGIONELLA CULTURE | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO SOLUTION CULTURE | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE- TISSUE | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE- GENITAL | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE- EYE | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE- EAR | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE CSF | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE, CATH-TIP | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE-ROUTINE | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE AEROBIC | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE FLUID/OTHER (NON CSF) | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE WOUND | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO CULTURE NARES | $199.45 | $199.45 | $199.45 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| St Elizabeths Hospital of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis O'Fallon, IL · (618) 234-2120 HC BODY FLUID CULTURE | $200.88 | $279.00 | $7.41–$279.00 | 28% | — source file |
| Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St. Louis Chesterfield, MO WOUND CULTURE,AEROBIC | $217.22 | $217.22 | $217.22 | — | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| St Lukes Rehabilitation Hospital Chesterfield, MO Aerobic culture | $316.10 | $316.10 | $221.27–$237.08 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
| St Lukes Rehabilitation Hospital Chesterfield, MO Culture, Wound Aerobic | $345.05 | $345.05 | $241.54–$258.79 | — | Aug 6, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $11.53, median $86.20, highest $200.88 — a 17.4× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 17 facilities here, median $67.70 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 8 of 12 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 3 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.