Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in Washington
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 Washington
From 72 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Washington.
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 Washington
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 Washington, from 72 providers. Most listed prices: $398–$1,969.
Cheapest totals nearby
- $285
- Providence Mount Carmel Hospital$356Hospital · ColvilleEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Providence St Mary Medical Center$356Hospital · Walla WallaEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- Clallam County Public Hospital District #2 DBA Olympic Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$153Source: Clallam County Public Hospital District #2 DBA Oly price fil · checked Oct 2026
- East Adams Rural HealthcareDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$213
- Snoqualmie Valley HealthDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$79.52est. $285 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Snoqualmie Valley Health price file · checked Oct 2026 - Kittitas Valley HealthcareDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$285
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Kittitas Valley Healthcare price file · checked Oct 2026 - Prosser Memorial HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$325
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Prosser Memorial Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $341
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Clare Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Providence Mount Carmel HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$151est. $356 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Providence Mount Carmel Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Providence St Mary Medical CenterDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$151est. $356 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Providence St Mary Medical Center price file · checked Oct 2026 - Providence St Joseph HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$154est. $359 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Providence St Joseph Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $359
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Anthony Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - $361
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: St. Anne Hospital price file · checked Oct 2026 - Garfield County Hospital DistrictDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$162est. $367 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Garfield County Hospital District 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.