Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in California
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) 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 288 hospital and 0 clinic prices in California.
Nationwide typical: $1,337 (most listed prices $479–$3,534).
Usually included: the scan itself (technical fee) + the radiologist's read (professional fee).
Good to know: Therapeutic-only taps may have no fluid labs. Diagnostic taps almost always add fluid labs and often cytology.
Cheapest in California
Total price
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) 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 288 providers. Most listed prices: $636–$4,014.
Cheapest totals nearby
- San Joaquin Community Hospital$282Hospital · BakersfieldEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Glendale Adventist Medical Center$286Hospital · GlendaleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $286
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. LawrenceDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceRead only$61Source: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence price fil · checked Oct 2026
- $177Source: Mark Twain Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026
- $188
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Delano price file · checked Oct 2026 - Scripps Memorial Hospital EncinitasDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$206
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas price file · checked Oct 2026 - Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula VistaDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$206
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista price file · checked Oct 2026 - Kaweah Delta Health Care DistrictDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$208
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Kaweah Delta Health Care District price file · checked Oct 2026 - Kaweah Health Mental Health HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$208
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Kaweah Health Mental Health Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Northern Inyo Healthcare District HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$214
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Northern Inyo Healthcare District Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Community Memorial Healthcare - VenturaDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$238
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Community Memorial Healthcare - Ventura price file · checked Oct 2026 - Adventist Health Mendocino CoastDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$240
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Mendocino Coast price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mountain Communities Healthcare DistrictDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$276
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mountain Communities Healthcare District price file · checked Oct 2026 - Contra Costa Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$277
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026
See all prices for Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) 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.