Spinal tap cost in Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, 27 hospitals list a cash price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnostic: from $364.00 to $3,573.84, with a median of $1,320.80. The lowest listed price is at Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center — $956.80 less than the median here. Across California, the median is $1,320.80 at 92 hospitals.
Cash prices at 27 facilities across 23 cities for code 62270, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Nov 26, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$364.00Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center
Median$1,320.80half pay less
Highest$3,573.84in this market
Difference9.8×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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA.
median
Lowest $364.00Highest $3,573.84
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center lowest Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $364.00 | $1,040.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center lowest Tarzana, CA · (818) 881-0800 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $364.00 | $1,040.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $392.35 | $1,121.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $392.35 | $1,121.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $392.35 | $1,121.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $392.35 | $1,121.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $705.95 | $2,017.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills, CA · (818) 365-8051 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $705.95 | $2,017.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 X/S-LP DIAGNOSTIC | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 X/S-IR-LP DIAGNOSTIC | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 1T LUMBAR PUNCTURE | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE-NICU | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE-NB | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$10,420.38 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia, CA · (626) 898-8000 SPINAL LUMBAR PUNCTURE,DIAGNOS | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | $577.29–$2,228.00 | 65% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $783.30 | $2,238.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $783.30 | $2,238.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $802.56 | $1,672.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $802.56 | $1,672.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 SPINAL FLUID TAP DIAGNOSTIC | $903.00 | $1,630.14 | $117.49–$1,796.43 | 45% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma, CA · (714) 670-7400 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $903.00 | $4,065.92 | $117.49–$4,065.92 | 78% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE/S.TAP | $903.00 | $1,796.43 | $117.49–$2,994.05 | 50% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 LUMBAR PUNCTURE*RAD | $903.00 | $2,994.05 | $117.49–$2,994.05 | 70% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 ER LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC | $903.00 | $1,796.43 | $117.49–$1,796.43 | 50% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 LUMBAR PUNCTURE*RAD | $903.00 | $2,994.05 | $117.49–$2,994.05 | 70% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 SPINAL TAP,LUMBAR PUNC DX (ER) | $903.00 | $1,796.43 | $117.49–$2,994.05 | 50% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $980.00 | $2,800.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $980.00 | $2,800.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West la Los Angeles, CA · (213) 857-2201 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park, CA · (626) 851-1011 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City, CA · (310) 325-5111 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim, CA · (714) 279-4000 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills, CA · (818) 719-3800 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Irvine Irvine, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City, CA · (818) 375-2000 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey, CA · (562) 461-6007 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · (323) 783-4011 DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | $687.00–$2,043.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $1,651.68 | $3,441.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,651.68 | $3,441.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $1,959.84 | $4,083.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,959.84 | $4,083.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles, CA Diag Spinal Lumbar Puncture | $2,733.00 | $2,733.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles, CA · (323) 442-8656 Diag Spinal Lumbar Puncture | $2,913.00 | $2,913.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Outpatient Surgical Services | $3,149.07 | $4,844.73 | $2,567.61–$4,443.39 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Ambulatory Surgery û Cigna Grouper Schedule* Grouper 1 | $3,149.07 | $4,844.73 | $2,567.61–$4,443.39 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 OPG - 1 | $3,149.07 | $4,844.73 | $2,567.61–$4,443.39 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Outpatient Surgery Group 1 Global Rate | $3,149.07 | $4,844.73 | $2,831.00–$3,903.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 HB PUNCTURE L-SPINE DIAG | $3,149.07 | $4,844.73 | $862.32–$9,712.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 HB PUNCTURE L-SPINE DIAG | $3,573.84 | $5,498.21 | $862.32–$14,761.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Outpatient Surgical Group 1 | $3,573.84 | $5,498.21 | $862.32–$14,761.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 OUTPATIENT SURGERY CPT GROUP 1 | $3,573.84 | $5,498.21 | $6,417.00–$7,038.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Outpatient Grouper - 1 | $3,573.84 | $5,498.21 | $9,088.30–$13,492.72 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $364.00, median $1,320.80, highest $3,573.84 — a 9.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 24 facilities here, median $1,320.80. 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 16 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 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 spinal tap removes a small amount of spinal fluid from the lower back with a needle. It is used for meningitis, bleeding and some neurological diseases.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the procedure. The lab tests on the fluid are billed separately.
1 row held back from this comparison
It is priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 62270 ($844.94). 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.
| UCI Health-Orange Orange, CAHB SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC | $82.40 | file |