Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in Virginia
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 Virginia
From 75 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Virginia.
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 Virginia
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 Virginia, from 75 providers. Most listed prices: $514–$2,056.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $263
- $263
- Lynchburg General Hospital$263Hospital · LynchburgEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Bath Community HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$120Source: Bath Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026
- Bedford Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$58.41est. $263 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. +4 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Bedford Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Southampton Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$78.90est. $284 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southampton Medical Center price file · checked Nov 2026 - Southern Virginia Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$242est. $447 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southern Virginia Medical Center price file · checked Nov 2026 - Johnston Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$471
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Johnston Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $471
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Lonesome Pine Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Russell County HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$471
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Russell County Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Smyth County Community HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$471
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Smyth County Community Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - UVA Health Haymarket Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$309est. $514 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - UVA Health Prince William Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$309est. $514 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: UVA Health Prince William Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - Southside Regional Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$564
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Southside Regional Medical Center price file · checked Nov 2026 - Rappahannock General HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$417est. $622 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Rappahannock General Hospital price file · checked Nov 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.