Lumbar radiofrequency ablation cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 38 hospitals list a cash price for radiofrequency ablation of facet joint nerves, lower back, one level: from $326.90 to $12,903.37, with a median of $2,390.00. The lowest listed price is at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital — $2,063.10 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,751.45 at 62 hospitals.
- The median here, $2,390.00, is 8% below the US median of $2,606.00.
- 5 of 38 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 38 facilities across 29 cities for code 64635, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 9, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$326.90John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital
Median$2,390.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$12,903.37in this market
Difference39.5×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 $326.90Highest $12,903.37
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital one side lowest Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 PF-DESTROY L/S FACET JNT RT +1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $326.90 | $467.00 | $71.37–$373.60 | 30% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Lumb/Sac Dstr Neur Agt Singl W/ Imag Guid File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $404.70 | $2,130.00 | $404.70–$2,950.05 | 81% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Lumb/Sac Dstr Neur Agt Singl W/ Imag Guid File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $404.70 | $2,130.00 | $723.85–$2,544.51 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Rfa Lumb / Sac Singl Facet Jnt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $437.76 | $2,304.00 | $350.12–$3,191.04 | 81% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Rfa Water Cooled Lumb / Sac Singl Facet Jnt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $437.76 | $2,304.00 | $624.38–$1,681.92 | 81% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Lumb/Sac Dstr Neur Agt Singl W/ Imag Guid File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $489.90 | $2,130.00 | $723.85–$2,992.34 | 77% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Rfa Lumb / Sac Singl Facet Jnt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $529.92 | $2,304.00 | $723.85–$2,992.34 | 77% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC DSTR NROLYTC AGNT PARVERTEB FCT SNGL LMBR/SACRAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC DSTR NROLYTC AGNT PARVERTEB FCT SNGL LMBR/SACRAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC DSTR NROLYTC AGNT PARVERTEB FCT SNGL LMBR/SACRAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC DSTR NROLYTC AGNT PARVERTEB FCT SNGL LMBR/SACRAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC INJ NROLYTC PARAVRT FACET JOINT LUMB/SAC 1ST JO File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,209.12 | $3,664.00 | $1,722.08 | 67% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 PAIN DEST PARAVRT NRV W/IMAG L/S SGL LVL BCE File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,541.62 | $4,534.18 | $283.00–$2,947.22 | 66% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Destruction of lower or sacral spinal facet joint nerves using imaging guidance, single facet joint File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,853.88 | $3,707.75 | $1,012.22–$4,215.00 | 50% |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 Destroy lumb/sac facet jnt File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,082.00 | $16,676.00 | $182.74–$16,676.00 | 88% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 Destroy lumb/sac facet jnt+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,082.00 | $9,989.00 | $182.74–$9,989.00 | 79% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Dest Neuro Agnt Pvfacet Jnt/Nrv;+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $2,211.30 | $3,402.00 | $459.27–$1,857.49 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Destruct Neuro Ag Pv Facet;L/S 1st Lvl+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $2,211.30 | $3,402.00 | $459.27–$1,857.49 | 35% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC DESTROY LUMB/SAC FACET JT BIL File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $2,385.62 | $3,180.83 | — | 25% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,047.39 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,017.75 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,043.88 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,017.75 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,254.20 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $95.00–$4,047.39 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,017.75 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,655.72 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG UNI File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,390.00 | $4,780.00 | $125.00–$4,254.20 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$4,855.70 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$4,761.30 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$4,891.10 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$5,251.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $95.00–$4,956.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$5,746.60 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$5,251.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 NEUROLYTIC L/S FACET SNG W IMG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,950.00 | $5,900.00 | $125.00–$4,991.40 | 50% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 Dstr Nrolytc Agnt Parverteb Fct Sngl Lmbr/Sacral File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $3,336.96 | $12,359.10 | $2,066.00–$6,579.66 | 73% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 DESTROY LUMB/SAC FACET JNT LT +1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,491.60 | $4,988.00 | $71.37–$3,990.40 | 30% |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB DEST NEURO AGNT, PVFACET JNT/NRV; L/S 1 FCT JONT+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,513.00 | $3,513.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB DESTRUCT NEURO AG, PV FACET;L/S 1ST LVL+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,513.00 | $3,513.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB DESTRUCT NEURO AG, PV FACET;L/S 1ST LVL+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,513.00 | $3,513.00 | — | — |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,388.00 | $4,388.00 | — | — |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $5,714.07 | $8,162.96 | $8.00–$425.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $5,714.07 | $8,162.96 | $8.00 | 30% |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Destruct Neurolytic Agnt, Paravert Facet Jnt Nerve W/Imag Guid, Lumbar/Sacal Ea Add Facet Joint File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $5,955.00 | $5,955.00 | — | — |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $8,554.00 | $12,220.00 | $8.00–$218.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $9,266.95 | $13,238.50 | $20.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $9,795.45 | $13,993.50 | $1,379.00–$3,975.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Destroy Lumb/Sac Facet Jnt File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $12,903.37 | $18,433.39 | — | 30% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet both sides Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 DESTROY PARAVRT NRV L/S SNG BI File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,082.00 | $4,470.00 | $182.74–$9,989.00 | 53% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard both sides Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC DESTROY LUMB/SAC FACET JNT BILAT SNGL File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $2,408.30 | $3,211.06 | — | 25% |
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 $326.90, median $2,390.00, highest $12,903.37 — a 39.5× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $2,082.00, median $2,245.15, highest $2,408.30 — a 1.2× difference within the same market.
The two groups are not comparable and are not averaged together: a
price for both sides of the body covers twice the work. Merging them is how a single
published "median" ends up far above what one side actually costs.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 24 facilities here, median $2,390.00. 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 20 of 27 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 lumbar radiofrequency ablation is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Lumbar radiofrequency ablation explained.