Spinal tap cost in California
In California, 92 hospitals publish a cash price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnostic: from $157.89 to $5,934.36, with a median of $1,320.80. The lowest price is at Banner Lassen Medical Center (Susanville). The highest price is 37.6× 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 24, 2026.
Lowest$157.89Banner Lassen Medical Center
Median$1,320.80half pay less
Highest$5,934.36in California
Lowest saves$1,162.91vs the median
Hospitals in California, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Lassen Medical Center lowest Susanville · Susanville, CA PF CRNA PUNCT LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC | $157.89 | $285.00 | Feb 12, 2026 source file |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital Upland · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test | $281.00 | $2,838.00 | Apr 2, 2026 source file |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $364.00 | $1,040.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $392.35 | $1,121.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $392.35 | $1,121.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palo Verde Hospital Blythe · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 62270-Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic | $418.96 | $558.62 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| NorthBay Medical Center Fairfield · Vallejo, CA Spinal Puncture Lumbar Dx | $436.93 | $436.93 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Tri-City Medical Center Oceanside · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA CITY NM SPINAL PUNCT LUMBAR DX | $488.73 | $814.55 | May 29, 2026 source file |
| Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta Murrieta · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC SPINAL LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC | $521.10 | $1,158.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Rch Dx Lmbr Spi Pnxr | $567.75 | $757.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $705.95 | $2,017.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Hayward Sisters Hospital Hayward · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA LUMBAR PUNCTURE ASSIST | $731.94 | $2,439.81 | Feb 23, 2026 source file |
| County of Monterey Salinas · Salinas, CA Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test | $748.00 | $748.00 | Aug 14, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA LUMBAR PUNCTURE-NICU | $779.80 | $2,228.00 | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $783.30 | $2,238.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $802.56 | $1,672.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA SPINAL FLUID TAP DIAGNOSTIC | $903.00 | $1,630.14 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Chino Valley Medical Center Chino · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $903.00 | $3,868.53 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Desert Valley Hospital Victorville · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC - 62270 - 40162270 | $903.00 | $2,925.85 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA LUMBAR PUNCTURE*RAD | $903.00 | $2,994.05 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $903.00 | $4,065.92 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Montclair Hospital Medical Center Montclair · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Hc Spinal Puncture,Lumbar,Diagnostic | $903.00 | $3,868.53 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Paradise Valley Hospital National City · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA SPINAL FLUID TAP, DIAGNOSTIC | $903.00 | $3,750.77 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Shasta Regional Medical Center Redding · Redding, CA DX LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $903.00 | $3,125.25 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA SPINAL TAP,LUMBAR PUNC DX (ER) | $903.00 | $1,796.43 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $980.00 | $2,800.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital Loma Linda · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC SPINAL LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC | $1,057.05 | $2,349.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Hospital of Barstow Barstow · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test | $1,110.05 | $1,850.08 | Sep 17, 2026 source file |
| El Camino Hospital Mountain View · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HC LUMBAR PUNCTURE | $1,118.75 | $4,475.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UC San Diego Medical Center San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Spinal Tap For Diagnosis | $1,166.55 | $2,121.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Healdsburg Hospital Healdsburg · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,236.75 | $2,425.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Ridgecrest · Bakersfield-Delano, CA Lumbar puncture | $1,264.05 | $2,385.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fontana Fontana · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Moreno Valley Moreno Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Ontario Ontario · Ontario, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Irvine Irvine · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Riverside Riverside · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Clairemont Mesa San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Zion San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos San Marcos · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West la Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,320.80 | $2,540.00 | — source file |
| Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center Fresno · Fresno, CA SPINAL PUNCTURE, LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC | $1,360.00 | $1,700.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center Clovis · Fresno, CA SPINAL PUNCTURE, LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC | $1,360.00 | $1,700.00 | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Santa Rosa · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,364.76 | $2,676.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Loma Linda University Medical Center Loma Linda · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC SPINAL LUMBAR PUNCTURE DIAGNOSTIC | $1,431.00 | $3,180.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Pleasanton · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Lumbar Puncture Dx | $1,502.40 | $3,756.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Petaluma Valley Hospital Petaluma · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,530.51 | $3,001.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center Napa · Napa, CA HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $1,567.74 | $3,074.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Apple Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,651.20 | $3,440.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,651.68 | $3,441.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Glendale · Glendale, CA Diagnostic Lumbar Spinal Puncture Ir | $1,828.75 | $1,828.75 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital Truckee · Truckee-Grass Valley, CA Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test | $1,836.00 | $1,836.00 | Jul 6, 2026 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $1,959.84 | $4,083.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital & Rehab Center - Vallejo Vallejo · Vallejo, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Antioch Antioch · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fremont Fremont · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fresno Fresno · Fresno, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Manteca Manteca · Stockton-Lodi, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Modesto Modesto · Modesto, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Oakland/Richmond Oakland · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Redwood City Redwood City · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Richmond Campus Richmond · Richmond, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Roseville Roseville · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Sacramento Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Francisco San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Jose San Jose · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Leandro San Leandro · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Rafael San Rafael · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Santa Clara Santa Clara · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Santa Rosa Santa Rosa · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Sacramento Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South San Francisco South San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Vacaville Vacaville · Vallejo, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Walnut Creek Walnut Creek · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $2,066.40 | $3,690.00 | — source file |
| Madera Community Hospital Madera · Fresno, CA Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test | $2,152.80 | $3,588.00 | Jul 30, 2026 source file |
| Stanford Health Care Stanford · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Lumbar Puncture Dx | $2,405.60 | $6,014.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Diag Spinal Lumbar Puncture | $2,733.00 | $2,733.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Riverside University Medical Center Moreno Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC Spinal Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic | $2,774.29 | $2,774.29 | — source file |
| Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford Palo Alto · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HC Lumbar Puncture Diagnostic | $2,873.00 | $5,746.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Diag Spinal Lumbar Puncture | $2,913.00 | $2,913.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Outpatient Surgery Group 1 Global Rate | $3,149.07 | $4,844.73 | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Outpatient Surgical Group 1 | $3,573.84 | $5,498.21 | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Northern California Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA DX LMBR SPI PNXR | $4,114.98 | $4,114.98 | — source file |
| Providence St Joseph Hospital Eureka · Eureka-Arcata, CA HC ED SPINAL PUNCTURE LUMBAR DIAGNOSTIC CDM | $5,917.02 | $11,602.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital Fortuna · Eureka-Arcata, CA HC DIAGNOSTIC LUMBAR SPINAL PUNCTURE | $5,934.36 | $11,636.00 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 27 | $364.00 | $1,320.80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 14 | $281.00 | $1,083.55 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 11 | $731.94 | $2,066.40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 7 | $488.73 | $1,166.55 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5 | $1,118.75 | $2,066.40 |
| Fresno, CA | 4 | $1,360.00 | $1,713.20 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 4 | $2,066.40 | $2,066.40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 4 | $1,236.75 | $1,447.64 |
| Vallejo, CA | 3 | $436.93 | $2,066.40 |
| Eureka-Arcata, CA | 2 | $5,917.02 | $5,925.69 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 1 | $1,264.05 | $1,264.05 |
| Glendale, CA | 1 | $1,828.75 | $1,828.75 |
| Modesto, CA | 1 | $2,066.40 | $2,066.40 |
| Napa, CA | 1 | $1,567.74 | $1,567.74 |
| Ontario, CA | 1 | $1,320.80 | $1,320.80 |
| Richmond, CA | 1 | $2,066.40 | $2,066.40 |
| Redding, CA | 1 | $903.00 | $903.00 |
| Salinas, CA | 1 | $748.00 | $748.00 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1 | $2,066.40 | $2,066.40 |
| Susanville, CA | 1 | $157.89 | $157.89 |
| Truckee-Grass Valley, CA | 1 | $1,836.00 | $1,836.00 |
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
- Alabama$1,721.50
- Alaska$1,437.54
- Arizona$488.15
- Arkansas$526.18
- 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.