Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in Illinois
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 Illinois
From 140 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Illinois.
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 Illinois
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 Illinois, from 140 providers. Most listed prices: $593–$3,107.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $327
- $353
- $395
- $99.96est. $327 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Humboldt Park Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - $329Source: Ferrell Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $126est. $353 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: South Shore Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Fairfield Memorial HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$363
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Fairfield Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - OSF Little Company of Mary Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$364
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $366
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Gottlieb Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - MacNeal Hospital Gottlieb Community Health Services CorporationDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$366
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: MacNeal Hospital Gottlieb Community Health Service price fil · checked Oct 2026 - UChicago Medicine AdventHealth BolingbrookDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$375
The radiologist read is billed separately. +2 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook price file · checked Oct 2026 - UChicago Medicine AdventHealth HinsdaleDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$375
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale price file · checked Oct 2026 - $168est. $395 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Loretto Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $423
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Touchette Regional HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$435
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Touchette Regional Hospital 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.