Lab tests CPT 83615 Inpatient — admitted to hospital

LDH test cost in Houston, TX — inpatient

In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 40 hospitals list a cash price for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) blood test as an inpatient: from $6.04 to $62.30, with a median of $27.60. The lowest listed price is at Harris Health and 1 other hospital — $21.56 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $39.50 at 279 hospitals.

Cash prices at 40 facilities across 16 cities for code 83615, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 29, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.

Lowest$6.04Harris Health + 1 more
Median$27.60half of hospitals charge less
Highest$62.30in this market
Difference10.3×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.

median
Lowest $6.04Highest $426.50

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash priceList priceInsurers payOff list
Harris Health lowest Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 LDH+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file $6.04 $51.00 $4.00–$33.15 88%
Harris Health lowest Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 LDH BODY FLUID+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file $6.04 $51.00 $4.00–$33.15 88%
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $8.50 $17.00 — 50%
Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE-20413+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file $12.73 $19.00 $7.60–$18.05 33%
Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) (LDH); File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file $26.97 $53.94 $40.46 50%
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $27.60 $86.25 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $28.96 $90.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $31.92 $99.75 — 68%
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $33.12 $103.50 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $35.44 $110.75 — 68%
Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE REFERENCE TEST LDHC3+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file $35.51 $53.00 $21.20–$50.35 33%
St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 CSF LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $36.05 $103.00 $66.95–$77.25 65%
The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE(TOTAL) File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $40.25 $115.00 $57.50 65%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC LACTATE (LD) (LDH) ENZYME - LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, CSF File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $41.92 $131.00 — 68%
St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 LH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $58.80 $168.00 $109.20–$126.00 65%
Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX Lactate (LD) (LDH) Enzyme File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file $60.40 $60.40 $45.30 —
Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC LDH - LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file $61.64 $92.00 $36.80–$87.40 33%
St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC LAB LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $62.30 $178.00 $76.54–$178.00 65%
St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC LAB LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $62.30 $178.00 $76.54–$178.00 65%
CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC LAB LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $62.30 $178.00 $80.10–$178.00 65%
St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $62.30 $178.00 $76.54–$178.00 65%
CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $62.30 $178.00 $76.54–$178.00 65%
St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC LAB LDH File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file $62.30 $178.00 $78.32–$178.00 65%
The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $188.00 $376.00 — 50%
Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $205.50 $411.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE LDH File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $248.00 $496.00 — 50%
Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC LDL DIRECT MEASURMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $426.50 $853.00 — 50%
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

Inpatient: lowest $6.04, median $27.60, highest $62.30 — a 10.3× difference within the same market.

As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 57 facilities here, median $33.12 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.

Cash or insurance?

At 12 of 13 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 9 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

An LDH test measures an enzyme found in most body tissues. A high level is a general sign of tissue damage and is used to follow some anemias, lymphomas and other cancers.

What the price covers

The price usually covers running the test. The blood draw (36415) is often billed as a separate line.