Spinal tap cost in Alabama
In Alabama, 11 hospitals publish a cash price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnostic: from $186.20 to $4,362.00, with a median of $1,721.50. The lowest price is at Monroe County Healthcare Authority (Monroeville). The highest price is 23.4× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 62270. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 23, 2026.
Hospitals in Alabama, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County Healthcare Authority lowest Monroeville · Monroeville, AL SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC | $186.20 | $465.50 | — source file |
| Floyd Cherokee Medical Center Centre · Centre, AL HC SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC | $712.50 | $1,425.00 | Nov 19, 2025 source file |
| East Alabama Medical Center Opelika · Auburn-Opelika, AL XR Exam 11 | $908.05 | $1,651.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Crestwood Medical Center Huntsville · Huntsville, AL S-SPINAL TAP DIAGNST | $1,130.38 | $6,279.90 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Springhill Memorial Hospital Mobile · Mobile, AL LUMBAR PUNCTURE | $1,390.61 | $1,636.01 | Apr 2, 2026 source file |
| Huntsville Hospital Huntsville · Huntsville, AL DX LMBR SPI PNXR | $1,721.50 | $1,721.50 | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham · Birmingham, AL HC Lp Puncture | $1,800.07 | $4,186.20 | — source file |
| Baptist Health Citizens Hospital Talladega · Talladega-Sylacauga, AL Hb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $4,362.00 | $4,362.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Princeton Hospital Birmingham · Birmingham, AL Hb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $4,362.00 | $4,362.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Shelby Hospital Alabaster · Birmingham, AL Hb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $4,362.00 | $4,362.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Walker Hospital Jasper · Birmingham, AL Hb Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $4,362.00 | $4,362.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 4 | $1,800.07 | $4,362.00 |
| Huntsville, AL | 2 | $1,130.38 | $1,425.94 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 1 | $908.05 | $908.05 |
| Centre, AL | 1 | $712.50 | $712.50 |
| Monroeville, AL | 1 | $186.20 | $186.20 |
| Mobile, AL | 1 | $1,390.61 | $1,390.61 |
| Talladega-Sylacauga, AL | 1 | $4,362.00 | $4,362.00 |
What it is
A spinal tap removes a small amount of spinal fluid from the lower back with a needle. It is used for meningitis, bleeding and some neurological diseases.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the procedure. The lab tests on the fluid are billed separately.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnostic in other states
- Alaska$1,437.54
- Arizona$488.15
- Arkansas$526.18
- California$1,320.80
- Colorado$491.58
- Connecticut$420.00
- Delaware$1,149.53
- Florida$1,597.40
- Georgia$2,049.06
- Hawaii$921.60
- Idaho$1,886.00
- Illinois$752.00
- Indiana$1,087.63
- Iowa$342.40
- Kansas$1,160.49
- Kentucky$769.21
- Louisiana$494.48
- Maine$369.70
- Maryland$511.30
- Massachusetts$1,047.90
- Michigan$707.85
- Minnesota$698.55
- Mississippi$271.01
- Missouri$340.57
- Montana$253.60
- Nebraska$343.14
- Nevada$785.35
- New Hampshire$495.55
- New Jersey$824.78
- New Mexico$500.01
- New York$819.50
- North Carolina$843.88
- North Dakota$890.99
- Ohio$1,038.60
- Oklahoma$507.55
- Oregon$562.50
- Pennsylvania$1,439.83
- Rhode Island$592.80
- South Carolina$719.00
- South Dakota$940.80
- Tennessee$282.90
- Texas$1,134.64
- Utah$746.52
- Vermont$240.10
- Virginia$936.20
- Washington$1,006.70
- West Virginia$995.75
- Wisconsin$580.00
- Wyoming$421.19
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.