Procedures
Diagnostic spinal tap (lumbar puncture) cost in North Carolina
Diagnostic spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is an imaging test. Cash prices for imaging vary widely: hospitals often charge several times what an independent imaging center charges for the same scan.
Typical cash price
In North Carolina
From 103 hospital and 0 clinic prices in North Carolina.
Nationwide typical: $934 (most listed prices $337–$2,653).
Usually included: the scan itself (technical fee) + the radiologist's read (professional fee).
Good to know: Image-guided LP is coded 62328 (fluoro or CT included), which is a different bundle. 77003 is not added to 62270 for that.
Cheapest in North Carolina
Total price
Diagnostic spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
The facility fee + the doctor's fee
How totals are compared
Every total covers the same bundle: the facility fee + the doctor's fee. Where a hospital does not publish a part, the typical published amount is added and the total is marked estimated.
In North Carolina, from 103 providers. Most listed prices: $514–$1,428.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Catawba Valley Health System$273Hospital · HickoryEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital$277Hospital · ElkinEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $375
- $92est. $273 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Catawba Valley Health System price file · checked Oct 2026 - $95.55est. $277 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $355
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center with Brenner Children'sSpinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnosticFacility fee only$361
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center w price fil · checked Oct 2026 - $370
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: CarolinaEast Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health Lexington Medical CenterSpinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnosticFacility fee only$372
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health Lexington price fil · checked Oct 2026 - $194est. $375 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
- $398
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Alamance Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $398
Doctor fees are billed separately. +3 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Annie Penn Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $406
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: UNC Health Southeastern price file · checked Sep 2026 - $424
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Washington Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $249est. $430 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Duke Regional Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
Common questions
Is the radiologist's read included?
Not always. Hospitals usually list the scan (technical fee) and the radiologist's read (professional fee) separately. Many imaging centers quote one all-in price. Look for the "All-in", "Scan only" or "Read only" label on each price.
Do I need a referral?
Most imaging tests need an order from a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Some imaging centers can arrange one; ask when you call.
Why are prices so different?
Each hospital and clinic sets its own cash price. Hospitals publish prices because federal rules require it; clinics and booking sites set prices to compete. The same service can cost several times more at one place than at another nearby.
Can I pay cash if I have insurance?
Yes. You can choose to self-pay. A cash price is often lower than what you would pay before meeting your deductible. Cash payments may not count toward your deductible, so check with your plan. Our cash vs. insurance tool can help you decide.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
If you are uninsured or paying cash, providers must give you a Good Faith Estimate of the cost on request. If your final bill is $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it.