Interventional Radiology
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) with imaging guidance cost in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
From 118 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin, from 118 providers. Most listed prices: $703–$1,886.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Sauk Prairie Healthcare HPI$370Hospital · Prairie Du SacEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $400
- $431
- Sauk Prairie Healthcare HPIDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$143est. $370 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Sauk Prairie Healthcare HPI price file · checked Oct 2026 - Lafayette Hospital + ClinicsDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceRead only$390Source: Lafayette Hospital + Clinics price file · checked Oct 2026
- $173est. $400 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
- $204est. $431 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Tomah Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $228est. $455 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
- $233est. $460 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Croix Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - $236est. $463 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
- Grant Regional Health Center IncDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$254est. $481 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Grant Regional Health Center Inc price file · checked Oct 2026 - Marshfield Medical Center Beaver Dam HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$505
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Marshfield Medical Center Beaver Dam Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Marshfield Medical Center Eau Claire HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$505
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Marshfield Medical Center Eau Claire Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Marshfield Medical Center HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$505
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Marshfield Medical Center Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Marshfield Medical Center Ladysmith HospitalDraining fluid around lung (thoracentesis) with imaging guidanceScan only$505
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Marshfield Medical Center Ladysmith 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.