Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test
Medicare pricing data for 12,259 providers across 51 states
This procedure has a 7.6x markup — hospitals charge $536.21 but Medicare allows only $70.16. Uninsured patients may face bills 7.6 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Removal of cerebrospinal fluid with lower back spinal tap for diagnostic test (HCPCS code 62270) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $70.16, but hospitals typically charge $536.21 — a 7.6x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $70.16, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $14.03. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 7.6x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $54.74 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $100 | $660 | 241 | 706 | +42.8% |
| Delaware | $90 | $635 | 49 | 85 | +28.3% |
| New York | $86 | $722 | 860 | 1,833 | +22.7% |
| Alaska | $81 | $1,024 | 46 | 70 | +15.4% |
| Georgia | $79 | $557 | 289 | 592 | +12.8% |
| Arizona | $79 | $594 | 318 | 587 | +11.9% |
| Florida | $77 | $539 | 622 | 1,146 | +9.7% |
| Connecticut | $76 | $572 | 172 | 360 | +8.7% |
| Wyoming | $75 | $583 | 23 | 35 | +6.6% |
| New Jersey | $74 | $550 | 247 | 458 | +5.6% |
| Missouri | $73 | $497 | 311 | 610 | +4.5% |
| Texas | $71 | $467 | 634 | 1,323 | +1.4% |
| California | $71 | $671 | 1,368 | 2,512 | +1.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $69 | $468 | 559 | 1,034 | -2.3% |
| Indiana | $68 | $446 | 209 | 329 | -2.4% |
| Massachusetts | $68 | $459 | 550 | 1,206 | -2.5% |
| New Hampshire | $68 | $557 | 84 | 146 | -2.6% |
| Illinois | $68 | $608 | 441 | 724 | -2.9% |
| Rhode Island | $68 | $475 | 85 | 146 | -3.4% |
| Nevada | $67 | $392 | 113 | 208 | -5.2% |
| District of Columbia | $67 | $339 | 41 | 49 | -5.2% |
| Michigan | $65 | $483 | 417 | 630 | -7.1% |
| Louisiana | $65 | $506 | 190 | 274 | -7.7% |
| Maryland | $64 | $360 | 289 | 611 | -8.2% |
| South Carolina | $64 | $386 | 233 | 363 | -9.1% |
| Alabama | $63 | $421 | 119 | 215 | -9.8% |
| Maine | $62 | $303 | 99 | 146 | -11.0% |
| Oregon | $62 | $413 | 192 | 242 | -11.1% |
| Washington | $62 | $355 | 263 | 422 | -11.2% |
| Colorado | $62 | $551 | 297 | 568 | -11.8% |
| Kentucky | $62 | $506 | 149 | 208 | -11.9% |
| Virginia | $62 | $393 | 292 | 496 | -11.9% |
| Montana | $61 | $299 | 53 | 97 | -13.2% |
| Kansas | $61 | $433 | 104 | 156 | -13.5% |
| North Carolina | $60 | $420 | 398 | 711 | -14.0% |
| West Virginia | $60 | $348 | 68 | 96 | -14.1% |
| Tennessee | $60 | $431 | 201 | 380 | -14.5% |
| New Mexico | $60 | $432 | 100 | 127 | -14.5% |
| Ohio | $59 | $418 | 370 | 654 | -15.9% |
| Utah | $59 | $445 | 107 | 146 | -16.1% |
| North Dakota | $59 | $495 | 29 | 38 | -16.4% |
| Hawaii | $58 | $346 | 40 | 53 | -16.9% |
| Mississippi | $58 | $519 | 77 | 129 | -17.9% |
| Idaho | $57 | $419 | 51 | 69 | -18.3% |
| Oklahoma | $57 | $420 | 188 | 261 | -18.4% |
| Vermont | $57 | $513 | 61 | 118 | -19.1% |
| South Dakota | $57 | $354 | 38 | 72 | -19.4% |
| Wisconsin | $56 | $1,117 | 237 | 399 | -20.2% |
| Iowa | $56 | $651 | 102 | 177 | -20.4% |
| Arkansas | $55 | $428 | 91 | 121 | -22.1% |
| Nebraska | $52 | $415 | 89 | 159 | -25.9% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber