Skin punch biopsy in California
CPT 11104 · hospital facility charge
Cash prices range from $227 to $891 at the 15 California hospitals whose price files we have read so far.
California typical cash price: $674
California hospitals compared
| Hospital | City | List price | Cash price | Insurers (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center Redding | Redding | $452 | $227 | $5,634$377–$10,559 · 15 plans |
| University of California Davis Medical Center | Sacramento | $1,488 | $595 | $1,614$47–$10,525 · 29 plans |
| Grossmont Hospital | La Mesa | $898 | $674 | $482$135–$627 · 22 plans |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital | San Diego | $898 | $674 | $620$413–$714 · 12 plans |
| Stanford Health Care | Stanford | $1,754 | $702 | $12,849$7,125–$23,031 · 5 plans |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas | Encinitas | $3,562 | $891 | $1,776$422–$2,186 · 78 plans |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla | La Jolla | $3,562 | $891 | $1,776$422–$2,180 · 78 plans |
| Good Samaritan Hospital | San Jose | – | – | $5,022$29–$8,541 · 17 plans |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Newport Beach | – | – | $5,356$1,360–$7,285 · 7 plans |
| Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center | Thousand Oaks | – | – | $6,585$29–$12,462 · 15 plans |
| Ronald Reagan Ucla Medical Center | Los Angeles | – | – | $692$515–$1,315 · 8 plans |
| Southern California Hospital at Hollywood | Hollywood | – | – | $278$5–$901 · 18 plans |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley | Pleasanton | – | – | $4,583$1,861–$7,716 · 6 plans |
| Uci Health-Lakewood | Lakewood | – | – | $850$771–$4,712 · 6 plans |
| Uci Health-Orange | Orange | – | – | $850$771–$4,712 · 6 plans |
Common questions
How much does skin punch biopsy cost at a hospital in California?
At 7 California hospitals that publish a cash price, the typical price for skin punch biopsy is $674, and most charge between $448 and $891. The typical rate commercial insurers have negotiated is $1,776. These are hospital prices; independent clinics, imaging centers and labs often charge less.
Is it cheaper to pay cash or use insurance for skin punch biopsy?
At 5 of the 7 hospitals in California that publish both, the cash price is lower than the typical insurer rate. Remember that with insurance you pay only your share of that rate once your deductible is met, and that cash payments usually don't count toward your deductible.
Which hospital in California has the lowest cash price for skin punch biopsy?
Of the hospitals whose price files we have read, the lowest published cash price is $227 at Mercy Medical Center Redding. Confirm the price with the hospital before you book.
Does the price include the doctor?
No. These are the hospital's own charges, often called the facility fee. The doctors involved, such as the surgeon, the anesthesiologist or the radiologist who reads a scan, usually send a separate bill.
Before you go
- Ask for an estimate. Hospitals must give uninsured and self-pay patients a written good-faith estimate before planned care.
- Check the network. Confirm that the hospital and the doctors are in your plan's network.
- Ask about financial help. Non-profit hospitals must have a financial assistance policy; many discount or forgive bills by income.
- Get an itemized bill. Compare it with the estimate and question anything you don't recognise.