DRG 103 · Nervous System

Headache Cost in California — Compare All Hospitals

Severe or persistent headaches, such as migraine, that need hospital care for relief. The stay typically involves IV medications and tests to rule out more serious causes.

State average
$47,449
gross charge · DRG 103
Hospitals
35
with published pricing
Price range
$5,525 – $90,256
low to high
Lowest $5,525 Highest $90,256

California hospitals price headache (Medicare DRG 103) anywhere from $5,525 to $90,256 — a $84,731 gap between the cheapest and most expensive option. The cheapest is San Joaquin General Hospital in French Camp; the most expensive is Sonoma Valley Hospital in Sonoma. The state average sits at $47,449.

Gross charges are list prices, not what most patients pay. Insurance plans negotiate substantial discounts, Medicare and Medicaid pay fixed federal rates, and uninsured patients can usually qualify for a cash-pay discount. But the gross charge still works as a useful benchmark: a hospital that lists headache at twice the price of another typically negotiates higher rates with insurers too, and quotes more for uninsured patients.

You usually don't choose a hospital during an urgent headache admission. This page is for the planning side: patients with chronic conditions weighing their options, caregivers picking ahead of time, or employers comparing in-network facilities. Click any hospital name for its full quality profile — CMS overall star rating, mortality and readmission rates, patient-experience scores. When two nearby hospitals look similar on quality, the one with lower published charges is the safer default for routine medical admissions.

Pricing comes from each hospital's Machine-Readable File (MRF), published under the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule. California hospitals missing from the list either don't perform headache in volume, haven't published a usable price for DRG 103 in their most recent MRF, or fell below our data-quality thresholds (we filter out clearly erroneous entries like $0 charges). The list refreshes as hospitals update their files.

Hospitals ranked by gross charge

  1. 1

    San Joaquin General Hospital

    French Camp, CA

    Gross charge $5,525
    Cash pay $3,039
  2. 2

    Scripps Mercy Hospital

    San Diego, CA

    Gross charge $25,691
    Cash pay $6,423
  3. 3

    Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla

    La Jolla, CA

    Gross charge $25,691
    Cash pay $6,423
  4. 4

    Scripps Green Hospital

    La Jolla, CA

    Gross charge $25,691
    Cash pay $6,423
  5. 5

    Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas

    Encinitas, CA

    Gross charge $25,691
    Cash pay $6,423
  6. 6

    Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley

    Tehachapi, CA

    Gross charge $27,554
    Cash pay $7,440
  7. 7
    Gross charge $28,290
  8. 8

    Kaweah Health Medical Center

    Visalia, CA

    Gross charge $30,252
    Cash pay $7,000
  9. 9

    Adventist Health White Memorial Montebello

    Montebello, CA

    Gross charge $30,258
  10. 10

    Tri-City Medical Center (Acute Care)

    Oceanside, CA

    Gross charge $33,353
    Cash pay $20,012
  11. 11

    Alameda Hospital

    Alameda, CA

    Gross charge $37,764
    Cash pay $18,882
  12. 12

    Highland Hospital

    Oakland, CA

    Gross charge $37,764
    Cash pay $18,882
  13. 13

    Adventist Health Tulare

    Tulare, CA

    Gross charge $38,501
    Cash pay $7,315
  14. 14

    Fairchild Medical Center

    Yreka, CA

    Gross charge $42,248
  15. 15

    Natividad Medical Center

    Salinas, CA

    Gross charge $42,434
  16. 16

    Adventist Health Ukiah Valley

    Ukiah, CA

    Gross charge $42,462
    Cash pay $8,492
  17. 17

    Adventist Health Clear Lake

    Clearlake, CA

    Gross charge $45,446
    Cash pay $16,361
  18. 18

    El Centro Regional Medical Center

    El Centro, CA

    Gross charge $45,574
    Cash pay $31,902
  19. 19

    Adventist Health Hanford

    Hanford, CA

    Gross charge $47,063
    Cash pay $8,942
  20. 20

    Eisenhower Medical Center

    Rancho Mirage, CA

    Gross charge $49,693
    Cash pay $4,637
  21. 21

    Adventist Health Howard Memorial

    Willits, CA

    Gross charge $50,232
    Cash pay $15,070
  22. 22

    Washington Health

    Fremont, CA

    Gross charge $50,512
    Cash pay $32,833
  23. 23

    Adventist Health Bakersfield

    Bakersfield, CA

    Gross charge $52,825
    Cash pay $7,924
  24. 24

    Adventist Health Sonora

    Sonora, CA

    Gross charge $56,848
    Cash pay $9,664
  25. 25

    Sharp Memorial Hospital

    San Diego, CA

    Gross charge $58,047
    Cash pay $43,535
  26. 26

    Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

    Chula Vista, CA

    Gross charge $58,047
    Cash pay $43,535
  27. 27

    Sharp Grossmont Hospital

    La Mesa, CA

    12 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge $58,047
    Cash pay $43,535
    Medicare pays (avg) $7,577
  28. 28

    Sharp Coronado Hospital

    Coronado, CA

    Gross charge $58,047
    Cash pay $43,535
  29. 29

    Redlands Community Hospital

    Redlands, CA

    Gross charge $58,564
    Cash pay $14,055
  30. 30

    Adventist Health and Rideout

    Marysville, CA

    Gross charge $60,898
    Cash pay $13,397
  31. 31

    Riverside University Health System Medical Center

    Moreno Valley, CA

    Gross charge $70,359
  32. 32
    Gross charge $81,121
    Cash pay $5,678
  33. 33

    San Antonio Regional Hospital

    Upland, CA

    Gross charge $81,338
    Cash pay $82,965
  34. 34

    Adventist Health White Memorial

    Los Angeles, CA

    Gross charge $88,617
    Cash pay $15,951
  35. 35

    Sonoma Valley Hospital

    Sonoma, CA

    Gross charge $90,256
    Cash pay $63,179
  36. 36

    St. Rose Hospital

    Hayward, CA

    Gross charge —
  37. 37

    Dignity Health - Mercy General Hospital

    Sacramento, CA

    Gross charge —
  38. 38

    Riverside Community Hospital

    Riverside, CA

    11 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge —
    Medicare pays (avg) $9,720
  39. 39

    Mad River Community Hospital

    Arcata, CA

    Gross charge —
  40. 40

    Oroville Hospital

    Oroville, CA

    Gross charge —
  41. 41

    Dignity Health - Memorial Hospital

    Bakersfield, CA

    Gross charge —
  42. 42

    St Elizabeth Community Hospital

    Red Bluff, CA

    Gross charge —
  43. 43

    San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital

    Banning, CA

    Gross charge —
  44. 44

    Antelope Valley Medical Center

    Lancaster, CA

    Gross charge —
  45. 45

    Glendale Mem Hospital & Hlth Center

    Glendale, CA

    Gross charge —
  46. 46

    St. John's Regional Medical Center

    Oxnard, CA

    Gross charge —
  47. 47

    St Joseph's Medical Center of Stockton

    Stockton, CA

    Gross charge —
  48. 48

    Community Hospital of San Bernardino

    San Bernardino, CA

    Gross charge —
  49. 49

    Community Hospital of Huntington Park

    Huntington Park, CA

    Gross charge —
  50. 50

    Saint Agnes Medical Center

    Fresno, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $30,652
  51. 51

    St. Francis Medical Center

    Lynwood, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $8,632
  52. 52

    Marian Regional Medical Center (Acute Care)

    Santa Maria, CA

    Gross charge —
  53. 53

    Northridge Hospital Medical Center (Acute Care)

    Northridge, CA

    Gross charge —
  54. 54

    Doctors Hospital of Manteca

    Manteca, CA

    Gross charge —
  55. 55

    Valley Presbyterian Hospital

    Van Nuys, CA

    Gross charge —
  56. 56

    Woodland Memorial Hospital

    Woodland, CA

    Gross charge —
  57. 57

    St Bernardine Medical Center

    San Bernardino, CA

    Gross charge —
  58. 58

    Dignity Health - Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital

    Grass Valley, CA

    Gross charge —
  59. 59

    UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital

    San Francisco, CA

    Gross charge —
  60. 60

    Sequoia Hospital

    Redwood City, CA

    Gross charge —
  61. 61

    AHMC Anaheim Regional Medical Center

    Anaheim, CA

    Gross charge —
  62. 62

    French Hospital Medical Center

    San Luis Obispo, CA

    Gross charge —
  63. 63

    Dignity Health - Dominican Hospital

    Santa Cruz, CA

    Gross charge —
  64. 64

    Desert Regional Medical Center (Acute Care)

    Palm Springs, CA

    Gross charge —
  65. 65

    Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

    Colton, CA

    Gross charge —
  66. 66

    Good Samaritan Hospital, Lp

    Bakersfield, CA

    Gross charge —
  67. 67

    Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

    Los Angeles, CA

    11 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge —
    Medicare pays (avg) $12,501
  68. 68

    Hi-Desert Medical Center

    Joshua Tree, CA

    Gross charge —
  69. 69

    Alhambra Hospital Medical Center (Acute Care)

    Alhambra, CA

    Gross charge —
  70. 70

    Dignity Health – Mercy Hospital Downtown

    Bakersfield, CA

    Gross charge —
  71. 71

    Providence St. Mary Medical Center

    Apple Valley, CA

    Gross charge —
  72. 72

    Loma Linda University Medical Center (Acute Care)

    Loma Linda, CA

    Gross charge —
  73. 73

    Marinhealth Medical Center

    Greenbrae, CA

    Gross charge —
  74. 74
    Gross charge —
  75. 75

    Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura

    Ventura, CA

    Gross charge —
  76. 76

    Dignity Health - Mercy Hospital of Folsom

    Folsom, CA

    Gross charge —
  77. 77

    West Anaheim Medical Center

    Anaheim, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $12,198
  78. 78
    Gross charge —
  79. 79

    Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center

    Merced, CA

    Gross charge —
  80. 80

    UCSF Health St. Mary's Hospital

    San Francisco, CA

    Gross charge —
  81. 81

    Memorial Hospital of Gardena

    Gardena, CA

    Gross charge —
  82. 82

    UCLA West Valley Medical Center

    West Hills, CA

    Gross charge —
  83. 83

    Clovis Community Medical Center

    Clovis, CA

    Gross charge —
  84. 84

    Adventist Health Sierra Vista

    San Luis Obispo, CA

    Gross charge —
  85. 85

    Mercy San Juan Medical Center

    Carmichael, CA

    Gross charge —
  86. 86
    Gross charge —
  87. 87

    La Palma Intercommunity Hospital (Acute Care)

    La Palma, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $11,456
  88. 88

    San Dimas Community Hospital

    San Dimas, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $10,671
  89. 89

    Methodist Hospital of Sacramento

    Sacramento, CA

    Gross charge —
  90. 90

    East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital

    Los Angeles, CA

    Gross charge —
  91. 91

    San Ramon Regional Medical Center

    San Ramon, CA

    Gross charge —
  92. 92
    Gross charge —
  93. 93

    Desert Valley Hospital

    Victorville, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $11,584
  94. 94

    Monterey Park Hospital AHMC

    Monterey Park, CA

    Gross charge —
  95. 95

    Cedar-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital

    Marina Del Rey, CA

    Gross charge —
  96. 96

    Shasta Regional Medical Center

    Redding, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $10,802
  97. 97

    Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta

    Murrieta, CA

    Gross charge —
  98. 98

    Coast Plaza Hospital

    Norwalk, CA

    Gross charge —
  99. 99

    Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

    Loma Linda, CA

    Gross charge —
  100. 100

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital

    Los Angeles, CA

    Gross charge —
  101. 101

    Colusa Medical Center

    Colusa, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $1,515
  102. 102

    Glenn Medical Center

    Willows, CA

    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $662
  103. 103

    Mountains Community Hospital

    Lake Arrowhead, CA

    Gross charge —
  104. 104

    Mercy Medical Center of Mount Shasta

    Mount Shasta, CA

    Gross charge —
  105. 105
    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $13,394
  106. 106
    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $1,015
  107. 107

    Mark Twain Medical Center

    San Andreas, CA

    Gross charge —
  108. 108
    Gross charge —
    Cash pay $1,715
  109. 109

    Watsonville Community Hospital

    Watsonville, CA

    Gross charge —
  110. 110

    Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

    Newport Beach, CA

    Gross charge —
  111. 111

    Sierra View Medical Center

    Porterville, CA

    Gross charge —
  112. 112

    Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley

    Pleasanton, CA

    Gross charge —
  113. 113

    Los Angeles General Medical Center

    Los Angeles, CA

    Gross charge —
  114. 114

    Stanford Health Care

    Stanford, CA

    12 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge —
    Medicare pays (avg) $9,578
  115. 115

    UCSF Medical Center

    San Francisco, CA

    12 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge —
    Medicare pays (avg) $12,366
  116. 116

    University of California Davis Medical Center

    Sacramento, CA

    Gross charge —
  117. 117

    Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

    Los Angeles, CA

    21 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge —
    Medicare pays (avg) $8,831
  118. 118

    Keck Hospital of USC

    Los Angeles, CA

    Gross charge —
  119. 119
    Gross charge —
  120. 120

    San Gabriel Valley Medical Center

    San Gabriel, CA

    Gross charge —
  121. 121

    AHMC Seton Medical Center

    Daly City, CA

    Gross charge —
  122. 122

    Whittier Hospital Medical Center

    Whittier, CA

    Gross charge —
  123. 123

    Greater El Monte Community Hospital

    South El Monte, CA

    Gross charge —
  124. 124

    Community Regional Medical Center

    Fresno, CA

    12 Medicare stays/yr
    Gross charge —
    Medicare pays (avg) $7,494
  125. 125

    Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

    Pomona, CA

    Gross charge —
  126. 126

    Northbay Medical Center

    Fairfield, CA

    Gross charge —

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