Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in Virginia
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 Virginia
From 85 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Virginia.
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 Virginia
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 Virginia, from 85 providers. Most listed prices: $611–$3,197.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $395
- $432
- $432
- $168est. $395 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Buchanan General Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $205est. $432 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. +4 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Bedford Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $226est. $453 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Bath Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $384est. $611 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Johnston Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $384est. $611 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Lonesome Pine Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $384est. $611 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Russell County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Smyth County Community HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$384est. $611 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Smyth County Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carilion Franklin Memorial HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$767
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carilion Giles Community HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$767
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Carilion Giles Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carilion Roanoke Community HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$767
The radiologist read is billed separately. +1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carilion Rockbridge Community HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$767
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carilion Tazewell Community HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$767
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Carilion Tazewell Community 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.