Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) in Massachusetts

Common questions

How much does spinal tap (lumbar puncture) cost at a hospital in Massachusetts?

At 3 Massachusetts hospitals that publish a cash price, the typical price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is $946, and most charge between $946 and $2,032. The typical rate commercial insurers have negotiated is $623. These are hospital prices; independent clinics, imaging centers and labs often charge less.

Is it cheaper to pay cash or use insurance for spinal tap (lumbar puncture)?

At 0 of the 3 hospitals in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts has the lowest cash price for spinal tap (lumbar puncture)?

Of the hospitals whose price files we have read, the lowest published cash price is $946 at Brigham and Women's Hospital. 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.