Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in Colorado
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 Colorado
From 82 hospital and 1 clinic prices in Colorado.
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 Colorado
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 Colorado, from 83 providers. Most listed prices: $557–$7,764.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Southeast Colorado Hospital District$367Hospital · SpringfieldEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Colorado West Healthcare System dba Community Hospital$369Hospital · Grand JunctionEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $401
- East Morgan County HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceRead only$136Source: East Morgan County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- Southeast Colorado Hospital DistrictDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$140est. $367 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southeast Colorado Hospital District price file · checked Oct 2026 - Colorado West Healthcare System dba Community HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$142est. $369 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Colorado West Healthcare System dba Community Hosp price fil · checked Oct 2026 - Sedgwick County Health CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$400
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Sedgwick County Health Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $174est. $401 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southwest Health System price file · checked Oct 2026 - $426
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Grand River Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Wray Community District HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$437
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Wray Community District Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $214est. $441 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Conejos County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Family Health West HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$445
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Family Health West Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$235est. $462 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $247est. $474 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Montrose Regional Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - Denver Health Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$486
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Denver Health 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.