Procedures
Thoracentesis (pleural fluid drainage) without imaging guidance cost in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin
From 88 hospital and 0 clinic prices in Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin, from 88 providers. Most listed prices: $475–$1,498.
Cheapest totals nearby
- Sauk Prairie Healthcare HPI$269Hospital · Prairie Du SacEstimated: adds a typical amount for unpublished parts
- $312
- $385
- Lafayette Hospital + ClinicsDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$174Source: Lafayette Hospital + Clinics price file · checked Oct 2026
- Mayo Clinic Health System BarronDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214
+1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Barron price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mayo Clinic Health System BloomerDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214
+1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Bloomer price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mayo Clinic Health System MenomonieDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214
+1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Menomonie price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mayo Clinic Health System OsseoDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214
+1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Osseo price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mayo Clinic Health System SpartaDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214
+1 more in this system at the same published price.
Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Sparta price file · checked Oct 2026 - Mayo Clinic Health System Eau ClaireDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire price file · checked Oct 2026
- Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare La CrosseDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingRead only$214Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare La price fil · checked Oct 2026
- Sauk Prairie Healthcare HPIDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$64.28est. $269 total
The radiologist read is billed separately. Location not independently confirmed.
Source: Sauk Prairie Healthcare HPI price file · checked Oct 2026 - $307Source: St. Croix Health price file · checked Oct 2026
- $107est. $312 total
The radiologist read is billed separately.
- Marshfield Medical Center Eau Claire HospitalDraining fluid from around the lung (thoracentesis), without imagingScan only$349
The radiologist read is billed separately.
Source: Marshfield Medical Center Eau Claire 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.