Interventional Radiology
Pleural drainage catheter placement with imaging guidance cost in California
Pleural drainage catheter placement with 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 230 hospital and 0 clinic prices in California.
Nationwide typical: $2,158 (most listed prices $726–$5,761).
Usually included: the scan itself (technical fee) + the radiologist's read (professional fee).
Good to know: This code covers a non-tunneled pigtail drain. An indwelling tunneled pleural catheter (PleurX type) is 32550 and is a different bundle. Often done during an inpatient stay, where the facility part is folded into the DRG.
Cheapest in California
Total price
Pleural drainage catheter placement with 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 230 providers. Most listed prices: $911–$6,261.
Cheapest totals nearby
- White Memorial Medical Center$372Hospital · Los AngelesEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $372
- $372
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. LawrenceChest fluid drainage catheter placement with imaging guidanceRead only$128Source: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence price fil · checked Oct 2026
- $93.96est. $372 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: White Memorial Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $94.43est. $372 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Tulare price file · checked Oct 2026 - $94.43est. $372 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Hanford Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $94.43est. $372 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Reedley Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - St. Elizabeth Community HospitalChest fluid drainage catheter placement with imaging guidanceScan only$373
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Elizabeth Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $99.40est. $377 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Ukiah Adventist Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $108est. $386 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mountains Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Contra Costa Regional Medical CenterChest fluid drainage catheter placement with imaging guidanceRead only$393Source: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026
- Northern Inyo Healthcare District HospitalChest fluid drainage catheter placement with imaging guidanceScan only$394
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Northern Inyo Healthcare District Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Adventist Health Medical Center TehachapiChest fluid drainage catheter placement with imaging guidanceScan only$134est. $412 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Medical Center Tehachapi price file · checked Oct 2026 - $149est. $427 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Willits Hospital Inc price file · checked Oct 2026
See all prices for Pleural drainage catheter placement with imaging guidance
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.