Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
From 139 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Pennsylvania.
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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania, from 139 providers. Most listed prices: $575–$3,737.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $343
- Fulton County Medical Center$359Hospital · McconnellsburgEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- ChristianaCare Hospital, West Grove$376Hospital · West GroveEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Jefferson Abington HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$312Source: Jefferson Abington Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- $138est. $343 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: UPMC Cole price file · checked Oct 2026 - Fulton County Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$154est. $359 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Fulton County Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $372
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Heritage Valley Beaver price file · checked Oct 2026 - Heritage Valley SewickleyDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$372
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Heritage Valley Sewickley price file · checked Oct 2026 - ChristianaCare Hospital, West GroveDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$171est. $376 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: ChristianaCare Hospital, West Grove price file · checked Oct 2026 - Bucktail Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$195est. $400 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Bucktail Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - Meadville Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$439
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Meadville Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - $467
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Phoenixville Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $467
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Pottstown Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Guthrie Robert Packer HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$272est. $477 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Guthrie Towanda Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$272est. $477 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Guthrie Towanda Memorial 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.