Procedures
Percutaneous pleural drainage catheter (pigtail) insertion without imaging guidance cost in Virginia
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 Virginia
From 61 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Virginia.
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 Virginia
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 Virginia, from 61 providers. Most listed prices: $793–$2,805.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $336
- $336
- Lynchburg General Hospital$336Hospital · LynchburgEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $239Source: Bath Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $98.34est. $336 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. +4 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Bedford Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $706
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Russell County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $706
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Smyth County Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Southern Virginia Medical CenterChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$726
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southern Virginia Medical Center price file · checked Nov 2026 - $742
The radiologist read is billed separately. +2 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Inova Alexandria Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $742
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Inova Fairfax Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $742
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Inova Loudoun Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carilion Roanoke Community HospitalChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$750
The radiologist read is billed separately. +1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $556est. $793 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. +1 more in this system at the same published price.
- Southside Regional Medical CenterChest drainage catheter insertion, without imaging guidanceScan only$625est. $863 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southside Regional Medical Center price file · checked Nov 2026 - $693est. $931 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Dickenson Community Hospital 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.