Pulmonary Function Test Cost in California (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a pulmonary function test cost in California?

You could pay $98 or $278 for the same pulmonary function test in California - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 275 reporting hospitals is $183. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where pulmonary function test costs vary in California

Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby outpatient clinics and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.

26+ people checked prices near them this month.

California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (27) report prices above $620, including AHMC Monterey Park Hospital at $1,663, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $186 versus $98 inpatient, so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick.

On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.

Frequently asked questions: pulmonary function test costs in California

How much does a pulmonary function test cost in California?

The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $37, with most facilities between $25 and $110 (based on 231 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Posted cash prices start at $67, with a median of $183; outlier facilities are left out. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get a pulmonary function test in California?

Based on declared prices, the lowest posted price in our California data is Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield at about $67. By metro, Fresno has the lowest median ($116).

Why is a pulmonary function test so much cheaper at some California hospitals?

Typical prices vary about 4.4× (25th to 70th percentile of negotiated rates) because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In California, the median cash (self-pay) price is $183 versus a median negotiated rate of $37 - about 4.9× higher. Asking for the cash price as well as your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.

How much will I actually pay out of pocket for a pulmonary function test in California?

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).