Spinal tap cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 62 hospitals list a cash price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnostic: from $126.00 to $29,646.92, with a median of $807.97. The lowest listed price is at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital — $681.97 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $969.60 at 105 hospitals.
- The median here, $807.97, is 6% below the US median of $859.25.
- That is 1.1× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($721.17).
- 12 of 62 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 62 facilities across 44 cities for code 62270, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 10, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$126.00John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital
Median$807.97half of hospitals charge less
Highest$29,646.92in this market
Difference235.3×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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $126.00Highest $29,646.92
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital lowest Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 PF-SPINAL FLUID TAP DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $126.00 | $180.00 | $70.79–$197.77 | 30% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Spinal Puncture Diagnostic+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $207.07 | $609.02 | $90.38–$5,099.00 | 66% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 ED Injections/Nerve Block Lumbar puncture - Diagnostic BCE+4 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $212.24 | $624.24 | $92.33–$5,099.00 | 66% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 Spinal Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic HCODE File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $239.86 | $670.00 | $167.50–$3,057.00 | 64% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $356.06 | $1,874.00 | $124.17–$2,595.49 | 81% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $356.06 | $1,874.00 | $237.89–$2,252.00 | 81% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test+1 more line at this price File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $378.22 | $1,572.00 | $613.08–$1,619.16 | 76% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 ED Injections/Nerve Block -> Lumbar puncture - Diagnostic+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $405.62 | $1,193.00 | $198.40–$775.45 | 66% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $416.89 | $1,488.90 | $672.98–$1,563.35 | 72% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Spinal Puncture, Lumbar+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $431.02 | $1,874.00 | $237.89–$4,183.00 | 77% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $434.20 | $668.00 | $90.18–$364.73 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $434.20 | $668.00 | $90.18–$364.73 | 35% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $435.00 | $1,740.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $435.00 | $1,740.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $435.00 | $1,740.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $435.00 | $1,740.00 | — | 75% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC SPINAL FLUID TAP DIAGNOSTIC File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $509.52 | $1,544.00 | $725.68 | 67% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $515.25 | $1,030.50 | $281.33–$1,305.10 | 50% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $535.50 | $765.00 | $384.03–$765.00 | 30% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $543.26 | $724.34 | — | 25% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $545.00 | $1,090.00 | $404.39–$3,430.00 | 50% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $594.17 | $2,122.05 | $959.17–$2,228.15 | 72% |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL SPINAL PUNCTURE,LUMBAR,DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $692.00 | $692.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 SPINAL PUNCTURE,LUMBAR,DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $692.00 | $692.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 SPINAL PUNCTURE,LUMBAR,DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $692.00 | $692.00 | — | — |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $740.00 | $1,480.00 | $583.12–$22,920.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $740.00 | $1,480.00 | $583.12–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $750.00 | $1,500.00 | $591.00–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $750.00 | $1,500.00 | $591.00–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 LUMBAR PUNCTURE - 62270 - 33010280 File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $752.00 | $2,150.00 | $66.79–$2,150.00 | 65% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 SPINAL PUNC LUMB DIAG+3 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $752.00 | $1,865.00 | $66.79–$1,865.00 | 60% |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC SPINAL PUNCTURE,LUMBAR,DIAGNOSTIC File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $752.00 | $1,544.00 | $71.65–$1,544.00 | 51% |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 LUMBAR PUNCTURE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $776.63 | $776.63 | — | — |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $839.30 | $1,199.00 | $601.90–$1,199.00 | 30% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 Spinal Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic HCODE File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $852.43 | $4,002.00 | $746.83–$3,057.00 | 79% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $935.00 | $1,870.00 | $736.78–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Spinal Tap Diagnostic+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $991.90 | $1,526.00 | $206.01–$833.20 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Spinal Tap Diagnostic+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $991.90 | $1,526.00 | $206.01–$833.20 | 35% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 LUMBAR PUNCTURE LEVEL 4&5 File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $1,018.21 | $1,697.01 | $1,018.21–$1,697.01 | 40% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 Spinal Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic HCODE File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,032.52 | $4,002.00 | $4,002.00 | 74% |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC SPINAL FLUID TAP DIAG+1 more line at this price File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $1,049.45 | $1,399.27 | — | 25% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 Spinal Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic HCODE File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,080.54 | $4,002.00 | $746.83–$2,729.36 | 73% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,090.00 | $2,180.00 | $858.92–$3,430.00 | 50% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC SPINAL FLUID TAP DIAG File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $1,112.42 | $1,483.23 | — | 25% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 ER SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DX File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $1,137.72 | $1,422.15 | — | 20% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,194.20 | $1,706.00 | $765.00–$2,834.00 | 30% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 S-Spinal Tab Diagnostic - GL 106+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,229.31 | $4,553.00 | $53.12–$3,824.52 | 73% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 Puncture Spinal/Lumbar/Dx File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $1,231.30 | $1,759.00 | $147.14–$2,571.30 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Puncture Spinal/Lumbar/Dx File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $1,231.30 | $1,759.00 | $147.14–$2,571.30 | 30% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,262.10 | $1,803.00 | $70.79–$1,442.40 | 30% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,265.00 | $2,530.00 | $996.82–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,265.00 | $2,530.00 | $996.82–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,265.00 | $2,530.00 | $996.82–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,265.00 | $2,530.00 | $996.82–$4,490.00 | 50% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 Puncture Spinal/Lumba-(ED) File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $1,288.00 | $1,840.00 | $706.56–$3,531.46 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Puncture Spinal/Lumba-(ED) File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $1,288.00 | $1,840.00 | $706.56–$3,531.46 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,348.20 | $1,926.00 | $1,926.00 | 30% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Spinal Fluid Tap Diagnostic File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,458.00 | $1,458.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE; DIAGNOSTIC+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,671.00 | $1,671.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE; DIAGNOSTIC+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,671.00 | $1,671.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE; DIAGNOSTIC+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,671.00 | $1,671.00 | — | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 S-SPINAL TAP DIAGNST File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $1,744.98 | $1,744.98 | $186.71–$2,111.00 | — |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,863.00 | $1,863.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,863.00 | $1,863.00 | — | — |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,909.60 | $2,728.00 | $2,728.00 | 30% |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC+3 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,964.90 | $2,807.00 | $477.19–$2,666.65 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,983.80 | $2,834.00 | $2,834.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,983.80 | $2,834.00 | $1,422.67–$2,834.00 | 30% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 Spinal Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic HCODE File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $2,315.29 | $8,974.00 | $8,974.00 | 74% |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,464.00 | $2,464.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,464.00 | $2,464.00 | — | — |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic-Gold+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,007.00 | $3,007.00 | — | — |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 DX LMBR SPI PNXR File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $3,231.84 | $3,231.84 | $55.45–$1,059.02 | — |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 SPINAL FLUID TAP, DIAGNOSTIC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,754.08 | $17,607.69 | $53.12–$14,790.46 | 73% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $29,646.92 | $42,352.74 | $1,334.00–$9,102.00 | 30% |
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.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
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 $126.00, median $807.97, highest $29,646.92 — a 235.3× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 42 facilities here, median $763.32. 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 41 of 45 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 8 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 spinal tap is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Spinal tap explained.