Thoracentesis cost in Detroit, MI
In Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, 25 hospitals list a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $406.35 to $3,410.25, with a median of $1,492.40. The lowest listed price is at Karmanos Cancer Center — $1,086.05 less than the median here. Across Michigan, the median is $1,092.18 at 84 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,492.40, is 22% above the US median of $1,223.60.
- That is 2.3× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($640.89).
- Detroit, MI ranks 2nd of 2 metro areas in Michigan by median, cheapest first.
- 8 of 25 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 25 facilities across 21 cities for code 32555, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Oct 26, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Dec 31, 2025 and Jun 28, 2026.
Lowest$406.35Karmanos Cancer Center
Median$1,492.40half of hospitals charge less
Highest$3,410.25in this market
Difference8.4×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI.
median
Lowest $406.35Highest $4,877.80
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karmanos Cancer Center lowest Detroit, MI · (800) 576-6266 THORACENTESIS W GUIDE+4 more lines at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $406.35 | $812.70 | $299.89–$858.66 | 50% |
| Henry Ford Rochester Hospital one side Rochester, MI · (248) 652-5000 CT PUNCTURE THORACENTESIS LEFT+3 more lines at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $425.35 | $905.00 | $833.79–$894.63 | 53% |
| McLaren Port Huron one side Port Huron, MI · (810) 987-5000 IR Thoracentesis w/Image guidance - LT+1 more line at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $561.35 | $1,122.70 | $338.19–$964.76 | 50% |
| McLaren Port Huron Port Huron, MI · (810) 987-5000 32555-US Thoracentesis+3 more lines at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $561.35 | $1,122.70 | $338.19–$964.76 | 50% |
| McLaren Oakland Pontiac, MI · (248) 338-5000 Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; w/imaging guidance 32555+3 more lines at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $606.90 | $1,213.80 | $338.19–$1,263.27 | 50% |
| McLaren Oakland one side Pontiac, MI · (248) 338-5000 IR Thoracentesis w/Image guidance - LT+1 more line at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $606.90 | $1,213.80 | $338.19–$1,263.27 | 50% |
| McLaren Macomb Mount Clemens, MI · (586) 493-8000 32555-CT Thoracentesis w/ CT Guidance+2 more lines at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $737.95 | $1,475.90 | $338.19–$1,422.10 | 50% |
| Henry Ford Health Hospital Detroit, MI · (313) 916-2600 HB THORACENTESIS ASP PLEURAL W/IMAGING File of Jun 28, 2026 · source file | $862.57 | $2,016.00 | $1,048.32–$1,435.39 | 57% |
| Henry Ford Health West Bloomfield Hospital West Bloomfield, MI · (248) 325-1000 HB THORACENTESIS ASP PLEURAL W/IMAGING File of Jun 28, 2026 · source file | $862.57 | $2,016.00 | $99.91–$2,056.00 | 57% |
| McLaren Lapeer Region Lapeer, MI · (810) 667-5500 32555-US Thoracentesis+3 more lines at this price File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $1,246.80 | $2,493.60 | $338.19–$964.76 | 50% |
| Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital - Novi Campus Novi, MI · (248) 849-3000 THORACENTESIS ASP W/GUIDE+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,266.72 | $2,262.00 | $253.97–$1,615.07 | 44% |
| Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital Southfield, MI · (248) 849-3000 THORACENTESIS ASP W/GUIDE+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,266.72 | $2,262.00 | $253.97–$1,615.07 | 44% |
| McLaren Port Huron Port Huron, MI · (810) 987-5000 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $1,489.02 | $2,978.03 | $338.19–$1,512.84 | 50% |
| St Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital one side Brighton, MI · (517) 545-6000 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Lt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,492.40 | $2,296.00 | $350.39–$2,296.00 | 35% |
| St Mary Mercy Livonia one side Livonia, MI · (734) 655-4800 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Rt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,492.40 | $2,296.00 | $343.52–$2,296.00 | 35% |
| St Joseph Mercy Oakland one side Pontiac, MI · (248) 858-3000 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Rt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,492.40 | $2,296.00 | $343.52–$2,296.00 | 35% |
| St Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital one side Brighton, MI · (517) 545-6000 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Rt File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,497.86 | — | $350.39–$1,717.92 | — |
| Henry Ford Health St John Hospital Detroit, MI · (313) 343-4000 THORACENTESIS ASP W/GUIDE+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,769.04 | $3,159.00 | $253.97–$3,159.00 | 44% |
| Karmanos Cancer Center Detroit, MI · (800) 576-6266 CT CHEST TUBE INS W/GD File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $1,777.35 | $3,554.70 | $338.19–$2,666.02 | 50% |
| Henry Ford Health Warren Hospital Warren, MI · (586) 573-5000 THORACENTESIS ASP W/GUIDE+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,808.24 | $3,229.00 | $253.97–$3,229.00 | 44% |
| Ascension River District Hospital East China Township, MI · (810) 329-7111 THORACENTESIS ASP W/GUIDE+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $2,086.00 | $3,725.00 | $253.97–$3,725.00 | 44% |
| St Mary Mercy Livonia Livonia, MI · (734) 655-4800 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Bl File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $2,237.95 | $3,443.00 | $343.52–$3,443.00 | 35% |
| St Joseph Mercy Oakland Pontiac, MI · (248) 858-3000 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Bl File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $2,237.95 | $3,443.00 | $343.52–$3,443.00 | 35% |
| St Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital Brighton, MI · (517) 545-6000 HC Thoracentesis Pleural Space Needle/Catheter Aspiration W/ Imaging Guidance Bl File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $2,237.95 | $3,443.00 | $350.39–$3,443.00 | 35% |
| Beaumont Hospital - Taylor Taylor, MI · (313) 295-5000 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,047.00 | $3,047.00 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Trenton Hospital Trenton, MI · (734) 671-3800 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,047.00 | $3,047.00 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Wayne Hospital Wayne, MI · (734) 467-4175 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,047.00 | $3,047.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital - Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe, MI · (313) 473-1000 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,047.00 | $3,047.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital, Troy Troy, MI · (248) 964-8800 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,047.00 | $3,047.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital - Taylor Taylor, MI · (313) 295-5000 Hc Thoracentesis With Image Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,158.84 | $3,158.84 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital - Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe, MI · (313) 473-1000 Hc Thoracentesis With Image Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,158.84 | $3,158.84 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital, Troy Troy, MI · (248) 964-8800 Hc Thoracentesis With Image Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,158.84 | $3,158.84 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Wayne Hospital Wayne, MI · (734) 467-4175 Hc Thoracentesis With Image Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,158.84 | $3,158.84 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Trenton Hospital Trenton, MI · (734) 671-3800 Hc Thoracentesis With Image Guidance File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,158.84 | $3,158.84 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak Royal Oak, MI · (248) 898-5400 HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING+2 more lines at this price File of May 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital Farmington Hills, MI · (248) 471-8000 HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING+2 more lines at this price File of May 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Wayne Hospital Wayne, MI · (734) 467-4175 Hc Ed Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital - Dearborn Dearborn, MI · (313) 593-7125 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING+2 more lines at this price File of May 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital - Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe, MI · (313) 473-1000 Hc Ed Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging+3 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Corewell Health Trenton Hospital Trenton, MI · (734) 671-3800 HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING+3 more lines at this price File of May 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital, Troy Troy, MI · (248) 964-8800 HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING+3 more lines at this price File of May 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| Beaumont Hospital - Taylor Taylor, MI · (313) 295-5000 HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING+3 more lines at this price File of May 1, 2026 · source file | $3,159.00 | $3,159.00 | — | — |
| VHS Sinai Grace Hospital Detroit, MI · (313) 966-3300 THORACENTSIS W/IMAGING File of Apr 8, 2026 · source file | $3,410.25 | $4,547.00 | — | 25% |
| McLaren Macomb Mount Clemens, MI · (586) 493-8000 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $4,127.03 | $8,254.06 | $338.19–$1,422.10 | 50% |
| Karmanos Cancer Center Detroit, MI · (800) 576-6266 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING File of Dec 31, 2025 · source file | $4,877.80 | $9,755.60 | $338.19–$7,316.70 | 50% |
| Henry Ford Rochester Hospital both sides Rochester, MI · (248) 652-5000 PUNCTURE THORACENTESIS BILATERAL+1 more line at this price File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $841.77 | $1,791.00 | $833.79–$894.63 | 53% |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $406.35, median $1,492.40, highest $3,410.25 — a 8.4× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $841.77, median $841.77, highest $841.77.
The two groups are not comparable and are not averaged together: a
price for both sides of the body covers twice the work. Merging them is how a single
published "median" ends up far above what one side actually costs.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 21 facilities here, median $1,769.04. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 15 of 16 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 it is 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 thoracentesis is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Thoracentesis explained.