Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
From 103 hospital and 0 clinic prices in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina, from 103 providers. Most listed prices: $674–$2,784.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Iredell Memorial Hospital$348Hospital · StatesvilleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Washington Regional Medical Center$388Hospital · PlymouthEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $467
- $121est. $348 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Iredell Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Washington Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$161est. $388 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Washington Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $465
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: ECU Health Bertie Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $240est. $467 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Granville Health System price file · checked Oct 2026 - $474
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: ECU Health Duplin Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - ECU Health Edgecombe HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$480
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Hugh Chatham Memorial HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$287est. $514 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Iredell Davis Behavioral Health HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$314est. $541 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Iredell Davis Behavioral Health Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Duke Health Lake Norman HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$373est. $600 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $602
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: ECU Health North Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $377est. $604 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Lenoir Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - CarolinaEast Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$612
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: CarolinaEast 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.