Procedures
Therapeutic spinal tap (CSF drainage) cost in California
Therapeutic spinal tap (CSF drainage) usually involves several bills: the facility, the doctor or surgeon, and often anesthesia. Some surgery centers and cash-pay programs quote one bundled price for everything.
Typical cash price
In California
From 201 hospital and 0 clinic prices in California.
Nationwide typical: $1,062 (most listed prices $457–$2,972).
Usually included: the facility fee + the doctor's or surgeon's fee.
Good to know: Used for IIH or a normal-pressure hydrocephalus tap test. The image-guided version is 62329, which is a different bundle.
Cheapest in California
Total price
Therapeutic spinal tap (CSF drainage)
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 California, from 201 providers. Most listed prices: $524–$4,239.
Cheapest totals nearby
- San Joaquin Community Hospital$307Hospital · BakersfieldEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $313
- $319
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. LawrenceSpinal tap to drain spinal fluid (therapeutic)Doctor fee only$36.50Source: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence price fil · checked Oct 2026
- UCSF Medical Center & UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San FranciscoSpinal tap to drain spinal fluid (therapeutic)Doctor fee only$111
+1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: UCSF Medical Center & UCSF Benioff Children's Hosp price fil · checked Oct 2026 - $173
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Kaweah Health Mental Health Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $194
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Orchard Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $200
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Mendocino Coast price file · checked Oct 2026 - $204
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $220
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Delano price file · checked Oct 2026 - $221
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: White Memorial Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $259
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Mercy Medical Center Merced price file · checked Oct 2026 - $260
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Natividad Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $262
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: Fairchild Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $281
Doctor fees are billed separately.
Source: San Antonio Regional Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
Common questions
What does a bundled price include?
A bundled (all-in) price usually covers the facility, the surgeon and anesthesia for the procedure itself. Pre-op tests, implants, pathology and follow-up visits are sometimes extra. Ask for a written Good Faith Estimate.
Do I need a referral?
You usually need a consultation with the surgeon or specialist first. Ask whether the consultation is included in the cash price.
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.