Procedures
Percutaneous pleural drainage catheter (pigtail) insertion without imaging guidance cost in Colorado
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 Colorado
From 61 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Colorado.
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 Colorado
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 Colorado, from 61 providers. Most listed prices: $530–$4,340.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $368
- $459
- $465
- $156Source: East Morgan County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $130est. $368 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southwest Health System price file · checked Oct 2026 - $221est. $459 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Prowers Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $228est. $465 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Conejos County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - San Luis Valley Regional Medical CenterChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$228est. $465 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - East Phillips County Hospital DistrictChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$251est. $489 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: East Phillips County Hospital District price file · checked Oct 2026 - $272est. $510 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Grand River Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $293est. $530 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Montrose Regional Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - $324est. $562 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Vincent Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - $390est. $627 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. +2 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Middle Park Health - Fraser price file · checked Oct 2026 - Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceRead only$679
Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Camp price fil · checked Oct 2026 - Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical CenterChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$753
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Heart of the Rockies 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.