Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in Missouri
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 Missouri
From 92 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Missouri.
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 Missouri
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 Missouri, from 92 providers. Most listed prices: $379–$2,966.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $284
- $313
- Cedar County Memorial Hospital$315Hospital · El Dorado SpringsEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Mercy Primary Care - 1165 East CherryDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$174
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mercy Primary Care - 1165 East Cherry price file · checked Oct 2026 - Sullivan County Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$175
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Sullivan County Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Scotland County HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$176
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Scotland County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Pemiscot Memorial Health SystemsDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$181
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mercy Pediatrics - Doctors ParkDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$197
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mercy Pediatrics - Doctors Park price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mercy Primary Care - 817 S Mount AuburnDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$197
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Mercy Primary Care - 817 S Mount Auburn price file · checked Oct 2026 - Carroll County Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$203
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Carroll County Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Texas County Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$208
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Texas County Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $78.50est. $284 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Ozarks Healthcare price file · checked Oct 2026 - Cox Medical Center BransonDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$108est. $313 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Cox Medical Center Branson price file · checked Oct 2026 - Cedar County Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$110est. $315 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Cedar County Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Nevada City Hospital dba Nevada Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$112est. $317 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Nevada City Hospital dba Nevada Regional Medical C price fil · 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.