Spinal tap cost in Atlanta, GA
In Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA, 37 hospitals list a cash price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnostic: from $262.50 to $3,352.00, with a median of $1,403.00. The lowest listed price is at Shepherd Center — $1,140.50 less than the median here. Across Georgia, the median is $1,267.32 at 77 hospitals.
Cash prices at 37 facilities across 26 cities for code 62270, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 29, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2026 and Jul 1, 2026.
Lowest$262.50Shepherd Center
Median$1,403.00half pay less
Highest$3,352.00in 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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA.
median
Lowest $262.50Highest $18,931.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Center lowest Northwest Atlanta, GA HC PUNC LUMB DX | $262.50 | $525.00 | $157.50–$472.50 | 50% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 DX LMBR SPI PNXR | $364.00 | $910.00 | $704.55–$775.00 | 60% | — source file |
| Willowbrooke at Tanner Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 DX LMBR SPI PNXR | $364.00 | $910.00 | $704.55–$775.00 | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 DX LMBR SPI PNXR | $364.00 | $910.00 | $704.55–$845.46 | 60% | — source file |
| Higgins General Hospital Bremen, GA · (770) 812-2000 DX LMBR SPI PNXR | $364.00 | $910.00 | — | 60% | — source file |
| Southern Regional Medical Center Southwest Riverdale, GA · (770) 991-8160 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $704.00 | $2,162.38 | $277.65–$2,162.38 | 67% | Mar 17, 2026 source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Carrollton Carrollton, GA · (770) 836-9580 REMOVAL OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID WITH LOWER BACK SPINAL TAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST | $878.00 | $2,195.00 | $704.55–$775.00 | 60% | — source file |
| Tanner Medical Center - Villa Rica Villa Rica, GA · (770) 456-3101 REMOVAL OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID WITH LOWER BACK SPINAL TAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST | $878.00 | $2,195.00 | $704.55–$845.46 | 60% | — source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Atlanta, GA Spinal Tap for Diagnosis | $967.00 | $967.00 | $222.47–$658.43 | — | — source file |
| Piedmont Newton Covington, GA · (770) 786-7053 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $433.42–$3,590.74 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Eastside Snellville, GA · (770) 979-0200 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $823.76–$3,801.96 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Cartersville Cartersville, GA · (470) 490-1000 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $497.63–$3,801.96 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Walton Monroe, GA · (770) 267-8461 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $397.94–$3,801.96 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Henry Stockbridge, GA · (678) 604-1000 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $358.23–$4,224.40 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Mountainside Jasper, GA · (706) 692-2441 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $458.77–$3,590.74 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (404) 605-5000 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $506.08–$4,224.40 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Rockdale Conyers, GA · (770) 918-3000 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $508.62–$3,498.35 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Newnan Newnan, GA · (770) 400-2300 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $397.94–$4,224.40 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Piedmont Fayette Fayetteville, GA · (770) 719-7000 HC Punc Lumb Dx | $1,267.32 | $4,224.40 | $408.50–$4,224.40 | 70% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Meridian Mark Atlanta, GA Spinal Tap for Diagnosis | $1,403.00 | $1,403.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Atlanta, GA · (404) 785-5252 Spinal Tap for Diagnosis | $1,403.00 | $1,403.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Arthur M. Blank Atlanta, GA Spinal Tap for Diagnosis | $1,403.00 | $1,403.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital Jackson, GA · (770) 775-7861 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Roosevelt Long Term Acute Care At Warm Sp Warm Springs, GA Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Paulding Hospital Hiram, GA · (470) 644-7000 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital Griffin, GA · (770) 228-2721 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital Marietta, GA Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Douglas Hospital Douglasville, GA · (770) 949-1500 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Cobb Hospital Austell, GA · (770) 732-4000 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar North Fulton Hospital Roswell, GA · (770) 751-2500 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Marietta, GA · (770) 793-5000 Hc Spinal Puncture Lumbar Diagnostic | $2,049.06 | $5,254.00 | — | 61% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Decatur Hospital Decatur, GA · (404) 501-1000 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Rehabilitation Hospital Atlanta, GA Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Rehabilitation Hospital Atlanta, GA Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Johns Creek Hospital Johns Creek, GA · (678) 474-7000 Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Johns Creek Hospital Johns Creek, GA · (678) 474-7000 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Hillandale Hospital Lithonia, GA · (404) 501-8040 Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Hillandale Hospital Lithonia, GA · (404) 501-8040 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory Decatur Hospital Decatur, GA · (404) 501-1000 Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-2450 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-2450 Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-8500 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Emory University Hospital Atlanta, GA · (404) 686-8500 Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (678) 843-7001 Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | — source file |
| Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta Atlanta, GA · (678) 843-7001 Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | — source file |
| DeKalb Medical at Decatur Decatur, GA Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| DeKalb Medical at Decatur Decatur, GA Hc Pbb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $3,352.00 | $3,352.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta – Meridian Mark Atlanta, GA Lumb Tap Diagnostic | $18,931.00 | $18,931.00 | — | — | — source file |
Outpatient: lowest $262.50, median $1,403.00, highest $3,352.00 — a 12.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 28 facilities here, median $2,049.06. 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 15 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 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 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.