Procedures
Percutaneous pleural drainage catheter (pigtail) insertion without imaging guidance cost in California
Percutaneous pleural drainage catheter (pigtail) insertion without imaging guidance is an imaging test. Cash prices for imaging vary widely: hospitals often charge several times what an independent imaging center charges for the same scan.
Typical cash price
In California
From 208 hospital and 0 clinic prices in California.
Nationwide typical: $2,000 (most listed prices $577–$4,905).
Usually included: the scan itself (technical fee) + the radiologist's read (professional fee).
Good to know: The image-guided version is 32557. Usually done in the ER or on inpatients, so it often also sits inside an ER visit bundle or inpatient DRG.
Cheapest in California
Total price
Percutaneous pleural drainage catheter (pigtail) insertion without imaging guidance
The facility fee + the doctor's fee
How totals are compared
Every total covers the same bundle: the facility fee + the doctor's fee. Where a hospital does not publish a part, the typical published amount is added and the total is marked estimated.
In California, from 208 providers. Most listed prices: $1,052–$5,352.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $320
- Mountain Communities Healthcare District$329Hospital · WeavervilleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Adventist Health Medical Center Tehachapi$348Hospital · TehachapiEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. LawrenceChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceRead only$123Source: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence price fil · checked Oct 2026
- $82.20est. $320 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Ukiah Adventist Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mountain Communities Healthcare DistrictChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$91est. $329 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mountain Communities Healthcare District price file · checked Oct 2026 - Adventist Health Medical Center TehachapiChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$111est. $348 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Medical Center Tehachapi price file · checked Oct 2026 - $123est. $361 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Willits Hospital Inc price file · checked Oct 2026 - $216est. $454 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mammoth Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $471
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Colusa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $483
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta price file · checked Oct 2026 - Adventist Health Mendocino CoastChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$271est. $509 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Mendocino Coast price file · checked Oct 2026 - $554
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Tahoe Forest Health System price file · checked Oct 2026 - St. Joseph's Medical Center StocktonChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$566
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Joseph's Medical Center Stockton price file · checked Oct 2026 - Contra Costa Regional Medical CenterChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$347est. $585 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026
Common questions
Is the radiologist's read included?
Not always. Hospitals usually list the scan (technical fee) and the radiologist's read (professional fee) separately. Many imaging centers quote one all-in price. Look for the "All-in", "Scan only" or "Read only" label on each price.
Do I need a referral?
Most imaging tests need an order from a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Some imaging centers can arrange one; ask when you call.
Why are prices so different?
Each hospital and clinic sets its own cash price. Hospitals publish prices because federal rules require it; clinics and booking sites set prices to compete. The same service can cost several times more at one place than at another nearby.
Can I pay cash if I have insurance?
Yes. You can choose to self-pay. A cash price is often lower than what you would pay before meeting your deductible. Cash payments may not count toward your deductible, so check with your plan. Our cash vs. insurance tool can help you decide.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
If you are uninsured or paying cash, providers must give you a Good Faith Estimate of the cost on request. If your final bill is $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it.