Thoracentesis cost in Des Moines, IA — inpatient
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, 4 hospitals list a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance as an inpatient: from $353.00 to $1,165.45, with a median of $559.70. The lowest listed price is at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and 1 other hospital — $206.70 less than the median here. Across Iowa, the median is $766.40 at 31 hospitals.
Cash prices at 4 facilities across 3 cities for code 32555, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 28, 2026 and Mar 31, 2026.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center lowest Des Moines, IA · (515) 247-4436 PR Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Cath Aspiration W Imaging Guidance | $353.00 | $353.00 | $8.69–$353.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Catholic Health Initiatives-Iowa lowest West Des Moines, IA PR Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Cath Aspiration W Imaging Guidance | $353.00 | $353.00 | $8.69–$353.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $766.40 | $958.00 | $98.09–$357.14 | 20% | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $766.40 | $958.00 | $98.09–$357.14 | 20% | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center - Newton one side Newton, IA · (641) 792-1273 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Lt | $1,165.45 | $1,793.00 | $593.78–$1,793.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center - Newton one side Newton, IA · (641) 792-1273 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Rt | $1,165.45 | $1,793.00 | $593.78–$1,793.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center - Newton Newton, IA · (641) 792-1273 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Bl | $1,748.50 | $2,690.00 | $593.78–$2,690.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 HC ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $2,238.80 | $2,798.50 | $1,211.75 | 20% | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 HC ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $2,238.80 | $2,798.50 | $1,211.75 | 20% | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center one side Des Moines, IA · (515) 247-4436 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Lt | $2,396.55 | $3,687.00 | $592.10–$3,687.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center one side Des Moines, IA · (515) 247-4436 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Rt | $2,396.55 | $3,687.00 | $592.10–$3,687.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, IA · (515) 247-4436 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Bl | $3,594.50 | $5,530.00 | $592.10–$5,530.00 | 35% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Catholic Health Initiatives-Iowa one side West Des Moines, IA HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Lt | $3,687.00 | $3,687.00 | $592.10–$3,687.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Catholic Health Initiatives-Iowa one side West Des Moines, IA HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Rt | $3,687.00 | $3,687.00 | $592.10–$3,687.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Catholic Health Initiatives-Iowa West Des Moines, IA HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Bl | $5,530.00 | $5,530.00 | $592.10–$5,530.00 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $353.00, median $559.70, highest $1,165.45 — a 3.3× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 4 facilities here, median $559.70 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 1 of 4 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
Thoracentesis removes fluid from around the lungs with a needle, using ultrasound to guide it.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the procedure and guidance. Lab tests on the fluid are billed separately.