Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in Texas
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 Texas
From 318 hospital and 1 clinic prices in Texas.
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 Texas
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 Texas, from 319 providers. Most listed prices: $406–$2,968.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $254
- $269
- University Medical Center Surgical Hospital$281Hospital · El PasoEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Crockett Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$106Source: Crockett Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026
- $144
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Coryell Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - Guadalupe Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$145
The radiologist read is billed separately.
- PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of VictoriaDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$153
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Victoria price file · checked Oct 2026 - PAM Specialty Hospital of Texarkana NorthDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$153
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: PAM Specialty Hospital of Texarkana North price file · checked Oct 2026 - Specialty Hospital of San AntonioDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$153
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Specialty Hospital of San Antonio price file · checked Sep 2026 - Specialty Hospital of San Antonio Medical Center SouthDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$153
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Specialty Hospital of San Antonio Medical Center S price fil · checked Oct 2026 - PAM Specialty Hospital of Corpus Christi BayfrontDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$153
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: PAM Specialty Hospital of Corpus Christi Bayfront price file · checked Oct 2026 - Wilbarger General HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$154
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Wilbarger General Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - UTHealth East Texas QuitmanDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$161
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: UTHealth East Texas Quitman price file · checked Oct 2026 - Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital DistrictDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$164
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District price file · checked Oct 2026 - Hamilton General HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$167
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Hamilton General 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.