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Upper Neck Spinal Fluid Puncture with Injection

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 61055

This procedure inserts a needle near the base of the skull or the top of the neck to reach the fluid-filled space surrounding the spinal cord, followed by an injection that may be a contrast dye to support imaging or a medication given for treatment. It provides an alternative access point when a standard lower-back spinal puncture is not suitable.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Upper Neck Spinal Fluid Puncture with Injection cost?

$141

Typical physician fee. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $141 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $117 to $1,862.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,754 · 10th to 90th $117 to $7,762Professionalmedian $117 · 10th to 90th $115 to $245
$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $2,754professional $117

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$2,754.23
Typical High
$7,762.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$141.25
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$3,235.94
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$295.12
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$263.03
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$977.24
Typical High
$1,819.70
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$302.00

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 26.9 times more in California than in Maryland. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Washington, DC· 46th of 51

$141

CA $3,162MD $117

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.