California

Cost of a Abscess Drainage Visit
in California

Name: Abscess Drainage (I&D) Cost in California (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

California's extensive network of over 14,000 Abscess Drainage providers reflects the state's position as the nation's most populous healthcare market, where patients typically pay between $15 and $264 for drainage procedures, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $88. The Golden State's robust provider network spans from major academic medical centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco to community clinics in the Central Valley, offering patients multiple options for accessing care. Patients can browse all available Abscess Drainage providers across California to find the most cost-effective option for their specific insurance coverage and location.

Average

$122

Median

$88

Lowest

$15

Highest

$264

Providers

14,233

National avg: $180California: $122

32% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does abscess drainage (i&d) compare to related procedures in California?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
Skin Biopsy Tangential biopsy of skin	11102	$80	$85	$171	12,818
Joint Injection Injection into a major joint or bursa	20610	$64	$88	$185	9,480
Blood Draw (Venipuncture) Routine venipuncture for blood sample	36415	$3	$75	$90	18,779

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 10060 — Incision and drainage of abscess, simple). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 10060 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess, simple), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 10060 covers: the provider's professional fee for abscess drainage (i&d). It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Abscess Drainage Visit Costs Vary Across California

California's healthcare costs run approximately 18% above the national average, driven by the state's high cost of living, stringent regulatory environment, and concentration of academic medical centers. The state's geography creates stark disparities between densely populated coastal areas with abundant specialists and rural inland regions where access can be limited.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles region contain the majority of California's Abscess Drainage specialists, creating intense competition that can moderate prices in these metro areas. Rural counties in the Central Valley and Northern California often have limited specialist availability, requiring patients to travel longer distances but potentially finding lower base costs. Telemedicine consultations have become increasingly popular for follow-up care in remote areas.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Large health systems like Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Cedars-Sinai dominate California's healthcare landscape, operating with significant overhead costs that are reflected in procedure pricing. Independent practices and urgent care centers often offer more competitive pricing for routine drainage procedures, particularly in suburban markets. Academic medical centers in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego typically charge premium rates due to their research and teaching missions.

Insurance Market Competition in California

The presence of major insurers Anthem, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare creates robust competition for negotiated rates with providers across the state. Kaiser's integrated model, where the insurer also operates the healthcare facilities, often results in lower out-of-pocket costs for members. Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace, has increased competition in individual markets, helping to moderate premium growth.

Physician Supply and Demand in California

With over 14,000 providers capable of performing abscess drainage procedures, California has one of the most robust specialist networks in the nation relative to its population. This abundant supply helps keep wait times reasonable and provides patients with multiple options for cost comparison. However, demand remains high due to the state's large population and comprehensive insurance coverage, which can sustain higher pricing in premium markets like Silicon Valley and West Los Angeles.

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Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Abscess Drainage Costs in California

What is the average cost of a Abscess Drainage visit in California without insurance?

Uninsured patients in California typically pay between $15 and $264 for abscess drainage procedures, with a median cost of $88. The wide range depends on factors like procedure complexity, facility type, and geographic location within the state. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-50% for patients who pay at the time of service, potentially reducing these costs significantly.

Does California Medicaid cover Abscess Drainage visits?

Yes, California's expanded Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) provides comprehensive coverage for medically necessary abscess drainage procedures with minimal out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Coverage includes both emergency and scheduled drainage procedures, along with necessary follow-up care and wound management. Patients typically pay no copay or a small fee depending on their specific Medi-Cal plan type.

How do I find an affordable Abscess Drainage near me in California?

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent practices and urgent care centers often charge less than hospital-based clinics for routine drainage procedures. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers that offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Use cost comparison tools to evaluate the over 14,000 providers across California and verify insurance network status before booking.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial abscess drainage procedures typically cost the full $15-264 range depending on complexity and facility type, while follow-up visits for wound care and monitoring usually cost significantly less. Many providers include one or two follow-up visits in their initial procedure fee, particularly for more complex drainage cases. Simple wound checks may cost $50-150, while visits requiring additional drainage or complications management approach the cost of the initial procedure.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Abscess Drainage visit in California?

Yes, abscess drainage procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay for deductibles, copays, and any out-of-pocket costs related to the procedure and follow-up care. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as these funds can also cover related expenses like prescription antibiotics or wound care supplies.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Abscess Drainage in California?

While actual drainage procedures require in-person treatment, telemedicine consultations in California can help determine urgency and appropriate care settings, potentially saving unnecessary emergency room visits. Initial assessment via telehealth typically costs $75-150 and may be covered by insurance as a specialist consultation. California's robust telehealth infrastructure, expanded during COVID-19, allows for effective follow-up care and wound monitoring after drainage procedures, reducing overall treatment costs.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$92

$317

Office visit (CPT 10060)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $779	$317	$73	$779	7,190
2	North Dakota(ND) Range: $80 – $611	$277	$80	$611	58
3	Iowa(IA) Range: $85 – $502	$267	$85	$502	624
4	Minnesota(MN) Range: $80 – $540	$256	$80	$540	733
5	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $80 – $464	$237	$80	$464	1,389
6	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $80 – $464	$237	$80	$464	88
7	Illinois(IL) Range: $80 – $459	$230	$80	$459	9,075
8	Connecticut(CT) Range: $80 – $464	$230	$80	$464	448
9	Nebraska(NE) Range: $119 – $308	$228	$119	$308	2,198
10	New York(NY) Range: $81 – $464	$227	$81	$464	31,147
11	Delaware(DE) Range: $76 – $464	$219	$76	$464	100
12	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $73 – $464	$219	$73	$464	1,455
13	Michigan(MI) Range: $80 – $464	$216	$80	$464	2,466
14	West Virginia(WV) Range: $80 – $456	$216	$80	$456	141
15	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $112 – $303	$214	$112	$303	3,686
16	Indiana(IN) Range: $80 – $456	$210	$80	$456	651
17	Georgia(GA) Range: $83 – $397	$209	$83	$397	3,461
18	Wyoming(WY) Range: $80 – $372	$206	$80	$372	189
19	Maine(ME) Range: $126 – $254	$200	$126	$254	1,552
20	Oregon(OR) Range: $80 – $387	$195	$80	$387	418
21	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $76 – $346	$194	$76	$346	360
22	Washington(WA) Range: $80 – $324	$182	$80	$324	4,526
23	South Dakota(SD) Range: $83 – $309	$178	$83	$309	68
24	Vermont(VT) Range: $95 – $290	$178	$95	$290	340
25	New Mexico(NM) Range: $85 – $274	$172	$85	$274	1,264
26	Alaska(AK) Range: $80 – $348	$169	$80	$348	383
27	Colorado(CO) Range: $62 – $309	$168	$62	$309	1,617
28	North Carolina(NC) Range: $77 – $297	$168	$77	$297	2,542
29	Utah(UT) Range: $40 – $278	$168	$40	$278	421
30	Kentucky(KY) Range: $80 – $308	$167	$80	$308	271
31	Hawaii(HI) Range: $80 – $308	$166	$80	$308	98
32	Montana(MT) Range: $80 – $308	$156	$80	$308	314
33	Idaho(ID) Range: $80 – $289	$155	$80	$289	218
34	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $44 – $306	$151	$44	$306	6,608
35	Arkansas(AR) Range: $85 – $224	$149	$85	$224	129
36	Maryland(MD) Range: $71 – $254	$145	$71	$254	4,075
37	Texas(TX) Range: $80 – $233	$142	$80	$233	9,771
38	Virginia(VA) Range: $67 – $244	$140	$67	$244	2,969
39	South Carolina(SC) Range: $80 – $232	$140	$80	$232	1,417
40	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $79 – $227	$137	$79	$227	1,113
41	Tennessee(TN) Range: $83 – $204	$135	$83	$204	2,536
42	Louisiana(LA) Range: $76 – $211	$132	$76	$211	943
43	Missouri(MO) Range: $81 – $178	$131	$81	$178	5,522
44	Kansas(KS) Range: $88 – $177	$129	$88	$177	1,829
45	Alabama(AL) Range: $76 – $203	$127	$76	$203	2,685
46	Ohio(OH) Range: $63 – $206	$124	$63	$206	4,671
47	Arizona(AZ) Range: $80 – $192	$124	$80	$192	5,591
48	Mississippi(MS) Range: $79 – $187	$124	$79	$187	1,303
49	California(CA) Range: $15 – $264	$122	$15	$264	14,233
50	Nevada(NV) Range: $30 – $189	$102	$30	$189	2,772
51	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $187	$92	$35	$187	5,397