Lumbar radiofrequency ablation cost in New Orleans, LA — inpatient
In New Orleans-Metairie, LA, 4 hospitals list a cash price for radiofrequency ablation of facet joint nerves, lower back, one level as an inpatient: from $982.52 to $3,006.60, with a median of $1,715.58. The lowest listed price is at Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner — $733.06 less than the median here. Across Louisiana, the median is $1,010.40 at 27 hospitals.
Cash prices at 4 facilities across 4 cities for code 64635, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between — and —.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in New Orleans-Metairie, LA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner lowest Kenner, LA · (504) 464-8065 HC R/F FACET NERVE - LUM/SAC | $982.52 | $3,509.00 | — | 72% | — source file |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans, LA · (504) 842-3000 HC R/F FACET NERVE - LUM/SAC | $1,369.72 | $6,226.00 | — | 78% | — source file |
| St Bernard Parish Hospital Chalmette, LA · (504) 826-9500 HC R/F FACET NERVE - LUM/SAC | $2,061.44 | $6,442.00 | — | 68% | — source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA · (985) 785-3644 DX DESTROY LUMB/SAC FACET JNT | $3,006.60 | $5,011.00 | $2,821.19–$5,011.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA · (985) 785-3644 CT DESTROY LUMB/SAC FACET JNT | $3,006.60 | $5,011.00 | $2,821.19–$5,011.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA · (985) 785-3644 IR DESTROY LUMB/SAC FACET JNT | $3,006.60 | $5,011.00 | $2,821.19–$5,011.00 | 40% | — source file |
Inpatient: lowest $982.52, median $1,715.58, highest $3,006.60 — a 3.1× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 12 facilities here, median $1,014.50 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. 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
Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to disable the small nerves that carry pain from lower back facet joints, using imaging to guide the needle.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the injection and imaging guidance. The steroid or other medicine may be billed separately.