Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in California
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without 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 California
From 256 hospital and 0 clinic prices in California.
Nationwide typical: $1,035 (most listed prices $415–$2,779).
Usually included: the scan itself (technical fee) + the radiologist's read (professional fee).
Good to know: Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis (32555) is now the norm and is priced as a separate bundle.
Cheapest in California
Total price
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without 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 California, from 256 providers. Most listed prices: $690–$3,434.
Cheapest totals nearby
- San Joaquin Community Hospital$249Hospital · BakersfieldEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $252
- $255
- University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. LawrenceDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$46Source: University of Michigan Health-Sparrow St. Lawrence price fil · checked Oct 2026
- Mountain Communities Healthcare DistrictDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$71.50Source: Mountain Communities Healthcare District price file · checked Oct 2026
- Mark Twain Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$163Source: Mark Twain Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026
- Adventist Health Mendocino CoastDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$194
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Mendocino Coast price file · checked Oct 2026 - Contra Costa Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$231
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - San Joaquin Community HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$44.10est. $249 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: San Joaquin Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $47.40est. $252 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St Helena Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Sonora Community HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$49.98est. $255 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Sonora Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Adventist Health TulareDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$55.86est. $261 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Adventist Health Tulare price file · checked Oct 2026 - Hanford Community HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$55.86est. $261 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Hanford Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Reedley Community HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$55.86est. $261 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Reedley Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Ukiah Adventist HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$58.80est. $264 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Ukiah Adventist Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
See all prices for Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without 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.