Procedures
Diagnostic spinal tap (lumbar puncture) cost in Tennessee
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 Tennessee
From 76 hospital and 1 clinic prices in Tennessee.
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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee, from 77 providers. Most listed prices: $388–$5,742.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Ascension Saint Thomas West$221Hospital · NashvilleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $225
- Highpoint Health - Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas$263Hospital · GallatinEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $88.72Source: Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $162Source: Erlanger Baroness Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $39.71est. $221 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Ascension Saint Thomas West price file · checked Oct 2026 - $225
Includes procedure and materials.
Source: directneurocare.org · checked Oct 2026 - $226
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: 62-1166050 BMH Carroll County price file · checked Oct 2026 - $238
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: 62-1113167 BMH Tipton price file · checked Oct 2026 - $253
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Vanderbilt University Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - Highpoint Health - Sumner with Ascension Saint ThomasSpinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnosticFacility fee only$82.07est. $263 total
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Highpoint Health - Sumner with Ascension Saint Tho price fil · checked Oct 2026 - $276
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Lincoln Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $277
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Hancock County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $277
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Johnson County Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Highpoint Health - Trousdale with Ascension Saint ThomasSpinal tap (lumbar puncture), diagnosticFacility fee only$281
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Highpoint Health - Trousdale with Ascension Saint price fil · 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.