Breathing treatment cost in San Diego, CA
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, 18 hospitals list a cash price for breathing treatment (nebulizer or inhaler) for airway obstruction: from $62.40 to $547.50, with a median of $308.88. The lowest listed price is at Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego and 4 other hospitals — $246.48 less than the median here. Across California, the median is $322.92 at 213 hospitals.
- The median here, $308.88, is 88% above the US median of $164.63.
- That is 1.4× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($223.72).
- San Diego, CA ranks 3rd of 5 metro areas in California by median, cheapest first.
- Every hospital here lists a cash price below its full list price.
Cash prices at 18 facilities across 11 cities for code 94640, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 29, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 30, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$62.40Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego + 4 more
Median$308.88half of hospitals charge less
Highest$547.50in this market
Difference8.8×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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
median
Lowest $62.40Highest $547.50
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego lowest San Diego, CA · (619) 294-8111 HC Heliox Therapy File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $62.40 | $249.60 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista lowest San Diego, CA · (619) 294-8111 HC Heliox Therapy File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $62.40 | $249.60 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Green Hospital lowest La Jolla, CA · (858) 554-3600 HC Heliox Therapy File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $62.40 | $249.60 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla lowest La Jolla, CA · (858) 626-4123 HC Heliox Therapy File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $62.40 | $249.60 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas lowest Encinitas, CA · (760) 753-6501 HC Heliox Therapy File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $62.40 | $249.60 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Meter Dose Inhaler Tx File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $84.00 | $112.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Scrmer Cv-Press/Nonpress Tx Subseq+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $85.50 | $114.00 | — | 25% |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego San Diego, CA · (619) 294-8111 HC Press/Nonpress Subseq Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $94.75 | $379.01 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista San Diego, CA · (619) 294-8111 HC Press/Nonpress Subseq Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $94.75 | $379.01 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla La Jolla, CA · (858) 626-4123 HC Press/Nonpress Subseq Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $94.75 | $379.01 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Encinitas, CA · (760) 753-6501 HC Press/Nonpress Subseq Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $94.75 | $379.01 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Green Hospital La Jolla, CA · (858) 554-3600 HC Press/Nonpress Subseq Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $94.75 | $379.01 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista San Diego, CA · (619) 294-8111 HC Press/Nonpress Intl Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $97.49 | $389.95 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Encinitas, CA · (760) 753-6501 HC Press/Nonpress Intl Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $97.49 | $389.95 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego San Diego, CA · (619) 294-8111 HC Press/Nonpress Intl Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $97.49 | $389.95 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla La Jolla, CA · (858) 626-4123 HC Press/Nonpress Intl Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $97.49 | $389.95 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Scripps Green Hospital La Jolla, CA · (858) 554-3600 HC Press/Nonpress Intl Enc File of Mar 30, 2026 · source file | $97.49 | $389.95 | $10.17–$704.10 | 75% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Scrmer Cv-Press/Nonpress Initial T+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $106.50 | $142.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Nebulizer Trtmnt Subsequent File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $159.00 | $212.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Nebulizer Trtmnt Initial File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $160.50 | $214.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rsp Inhal Tx Each Initial File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $168.75 | $225.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Ippb Tx Subsequent File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $180.00 | $240.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rsp Mdi Treatment Initial+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $189.75 | $253.00 | — | 25% |
| Paradise Valley Hospital National City, CA · (619) 470-4321 AERO/NEB/MDI/IPPB TX - 94640 - 3600350+5 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $280.00 | $559.14 | $16.78–$1,287.52 | 50% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos San Marcos, CA · (760) 528-6295 PRESSURIZED/NONPRESSURIZED INHALATION TREATMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $308.88 | $594.00 | — | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Clairemont Mesa San Diego, CA · (619) 528-5000 PRESSURIZED/NONPRESSURIZED INHALATION TREATMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $308.88 | $594.00 | — | 48% |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Zion San Diego, CA · (619) 528-5000 PRESSURIZED/NONPRESSURIZED INHALATION TREATMENT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $308.88 | $594.00 | — | 48% |
| Tri-City Medical Center Oceanside, CA · (760) 724-8411 94640 AEROSOL INLINE TX, SUBSEQUENT CHARGE+13 more lines at this price File of May 29, 2026 · source file | $322.92 | $538.20 | $11.82–$455.19 | 40% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Ippb/Ipv Initial+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $370.50 | $494.00 | — | 25% |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego, CA · (858) 576-1700 Rch Nebulizer Initial Treatment File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $411.75 | $549.00 | — | 25% |
| Palomar Medical Center Escondido Escondido, CA Exp Press Valve Tx Subsequent+6 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $440.90 | $734.83 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Poway Poway, CA · (858) 485-6511 HI VOL NEB TX SUBSEQUENT CHG+6 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $440.90 | $734.83 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Poway Poway, CA · (858) 485-6511 SNF Large Vol Neb Tx (Continuous Ae+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $453.82 | $756.37 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Escondido Escondido, CA SNF Large Vol Neb Tx (Continuous Ae+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $453.82 | $756.37 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Poway Poway, CA · (858) 485-6511 Small Volume Neb Tx Initial+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $479.89 | $799.82 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Escondido Escondido, CA Small Volume Nebulizer Tx Subs+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $479.89 | $799.82 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Escondido Escondido, CA HVN Tx Initial+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $493.87 | $823.11 | — | 40% |
| Palomar Medical Center Poway Poway, CA · (858) 485-6511 HVN Tx Initial+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $493.87 | $823.11 | — | 40% |
| UC San Diego Medical Center San Diego, CA · (619) 543-6222 Respiratory Inhaled Pressure Or Nonpressure Treatment To Relieve Airway Obstruction Or For Sputum Specimen File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $496.10 | $902.00 | $16.20–$1,217.70 | 45% |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital one side San Diego, CA · (858) 939-3400 HC RT HAND HELD NEBULIZER+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $1.00–$7,895.20 | 25% |
| Sharp Coronado Hospital and Healthcare Center Coronado, CA · (619) 435-6251 HC NEBULIZER TREATMENT+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $0.73–$715.40 | 25% |
| Sharp Coronado Hospital and Healthcare Center one side Coronado, CA · (619) 435-6251 HC RT HAND HELD NEBULIZER+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $0.73–$715.40 | 25% |
| Grossmont Hospital one side La Mesa, CA · (619) 465-0711 HC RT INDUCED SPUTUM SUBSEQUENT+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $1.00–$657.00 | 25% |
| Grossmont Hospital La Mesa, CA · (619) 465-0711 HC NEBULIZER TREATMENT+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $1.00–$715.40 | 25% |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center one side Chula Vista, CA · (619) 502-5800 HC RT INDUCED SPUTUM+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $1.00–$715.40 | 25% |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Chula Vista, CA · (619) 502-5800 HC NEBULIZER TREATMENT+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $1.00–$715.40 | 25% |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego, CA · (858) 939-3400 HC IPPB TREATMENT+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $547.50 | $730.00 | $0.05–$725.00 | 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.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
Outpatient: lowest $62.40, median $308.88, highest $547.50 — a 8.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 17 facilities here, median $308.88. 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 11 of 12 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it 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 breathing treatment is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Breathing treatment explained.