Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in Texas
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 Texas
From 378 hospital and 2 clinic prices in Texas.
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 Texas
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 Texas, from 380 providers. Most listed prices: $603–$4,345.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Huntsville Memorial Hospital$286Hospital · HuntsvilleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Seton Medical Center Harker Heights$347Hospital · Harker HeightsEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $371
- $203
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: BSA Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $203
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Harrington Cancer Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $207
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: UTHealth East Texas Athens price file · checked Oct 2026 - $209
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: North Texas Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $212
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Goodall-Witcher Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Guadalupe Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$216
The radiologist read is billed separately.
- $219
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Eastland Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - El Paso Children's HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$221
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: El Paso Children's Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $225
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Ascension Providence price file · checked Oct 2026 - $235
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Seymour Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $240Source: Frio Regional Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $245
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Electra Memorial 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.