Biopsy pathology exam cost in Los Angeles, CA
In Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, 32 hospitals list a cash price for biopsy tissue exam by a pathologist (level IV): from $20.86 to $564.54, with a median of $176.74. The lowest listed price is at UCI Health - Fountain Valley and 1 other hospital — $155.88 less than the median here. Across California, the median is $197.60 at 96 hospitals.
Cash prices at 32 facilities across 22 cities for code 88305, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 24, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Nov 26, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$20.86UCI Health - Fountain Valley + 1 more
Median$176.74half pay less
Highest$564.54in this market
Difference27.1×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 $20.86Highest $564.54
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCI Health - Fountain Valley lowest Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV/2 | $20.86 | $52.15 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health - Lakewood lowest Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV/2 | $20.86 | $52.15 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC BILL SURG LEVEL 4 | $24.15 | $69.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 HB LAB TISSUE GR M 7 | $39.00 | $60.00 | $66.53–$9,712.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 HB TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST LVL 4 | $39.00 | $60.00 | $66.53–$9,712.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Clinical and Anatomical Laboratory Services | $39.00 | $60.00 | $77.15–$685.14 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Outpatient Global Laboratory, Radiology and Diagnostic Services | $39.00 | $60.00 | $77.15–$685.14 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA · (310) 823-8911 Laboratory Services | $39.00 | $60.00 | $77.15–$685.14 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 LIGHT MICROSCOPY/CEDARS | $66.00 | $151.00 | $2.66–$313.70 | 56% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 LEVEL IV GROSS/MICRO COMPLEX | $66.00 | $313.70 | $2.66–$313.70 | 79% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 NEO SX PATH/GROSS MICRO LVL IV | $66.00 | $71.00 | $2.66–$313.70 | 7% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma, CA · (714) 670-7400 Hc Surg Path,Level Iv | $66.00 | $830.82 | $11.76–$830.82 | 92% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 LVL IV SUR PATH GROSS | $66.00 | $212.00 | $11.76–$212.00 | 69% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino, CA · (818) 995-5000 NEO SX PATH/GROSS MICRO LVL IV | $66.00 | $71.00 | $11.76–$212.00 | 7% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 BONE MARROW INTERP BIOPSY IRON | $66.00 | $224.00 | $2.66–$313.70 | 71% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 BLOCK PROCESSING -SCH | $66.00 | $8.88 | $2.66–$313.70 | -643% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 CELL BLOCK | $66.00 | $69.00 | $2.66–$313.70 | 4% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks, CA · (818) 981-7111 CELL BLOCK PREP-SCH | $66.00 | $15.00 | $2.66–$313.70 | -340% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 LVL IV SURG PATH GROSS - 88305 - 43084045 | $66.00 | $313.70 | $11.76–$1,075.00 | 79% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 LVL IV SURG PATH GROSS - 88305 - 70484043 | $66.00 | $1,075.00 | $11.76–$1,075.00 | 94% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 LVL IV SURG PATH GROSS - 88305 - 70884044 | $66.00 | $69.23 | $11.76–$1,075.00 | 5% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood, CA · (310) 673-4660 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV CEDARS | $66.00 | $69.33 | $11.76–$1,075.00 | 5% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health-Orange Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 HB LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $86.00 | $215.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC BILL SURG LEVEL 4 | $86.10 | $246.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital of Orange County - Profit Orange, CA · (714) 997-3000 CS-REN GROSS MICRO LVL IV TC | $89.00 | $89.00 | $32.93–$750.41 | — | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM BONE MARROW | $104.65 | $299.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank, CA · (818) 843-5111 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $104.65 | $299.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health - Placentia Linda Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV/2 | $120.00 | $300.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Health System - Southern California Mission Hills, CA HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $134.75 | $385.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health - Placentia Linda Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV | $157.60 | $394.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health - Los Alamitos Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV | $157.60 | $394.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health - Fountain Valley Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV | $157.60 | $394.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro, CA · (310) 832-3311 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $161.00 | $460.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance, CA · (310) 540-7676 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $161.00 | $460.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo, CA · (949) 364-1400 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $192.48 | $401.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City, CA · (818) 375-2000 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West la Los Angeles, CA · (213) 857-2201 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park, CA · (626) 851-1011 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim, CA · (714) 279-4000 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · (323) 783-4011 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey, CA · (562) 461-6007 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills, CA · (818) 719-3800 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Irvine Irvine, CA LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City, CA · (310) 325-5111 LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM | $197.60 | $380.00 | $61.00–$180.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Newport Beach, CA · (949) 764-4624 HC Surgical Path Gross/Micro, Level 4 | $214.66 | $330.25 | — | 35% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CA · (310) 829-5511 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $283.15 | $809.00 | — | 65% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange, CA · (714) 633-9111 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $286.56 | $597.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UCI Health - Lakewood Orange, CA · (714) 456-7890 SURGICAL PATH LEVEL IV | $340.00 | $850.00 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles, CA · (323) 442-8656 Level Iv Surg Pathology Gross+Microscopic Exam | $348.50 | $348.50 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles, CA Level Iv Surg Pathology Gross+Microscopic Exam | $359.75 | $359.75 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton, CA · (714) 992-3000 HC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $535.68 | $1,116.00 | — | 52% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 HB LAB TISSUE GR M 7 | $564.54 | $868.53 | $66.53–$14,761.00 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 LEVEL IV SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION | $564.54 | $868.53 | $86.21–$664.95 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 LEVEL IV - SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, GROSS AND MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION | $564.54 | $868.53 | $86.21–$664.95 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA · (310) 423-5000 Laboratory Services | $564.54 | $868.53 | $86.21–$664.95 | 35% | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $20.86, median $176.74, highest $564.54 — a 27.1× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 28 facilities here, median $197.60. 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 7 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 1 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
This code covers the lab exam of a tissue sample under a microscope. Most biopsies use it, including skin, colon polyp, stomach, breast core and prostate core biopsies.
What the price covers
The price is usually for one specimen. Each separate specimen is billed again, and the pathologist's reading may be billed separately.
1 row held back from this comparison
It is priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 88305 ($186.06). 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.
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica, CAHC LEVEL IV SURG PATHOLOGY GROSS&MICROSCOPIC EXAM LAB | $17.85 | file |