Thoracentesis cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 45 hospitals list a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $524.30 to $16,757.81, with a median of $1,423.68. The lowest listed price is at The Community Hospital of Brazosport — $899.38 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $1,410.82 at 229 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,423.68, is 16% above the US median of $1,224.53.
- That is 2.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($640.89).
- Houston, TX ranks 2nd of 4 metro areas in Texas by median, cheapest first.
- 5 of 45 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 45 facilities across 16 cities for code 32555, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 8, 2026.
Lowest$524.30The Community Hospital of Brazosport
Median$1,423.68half of hospitals charge less
Highest$16,757.81in this market
Difference32.0×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $524.30Highest $16,757.81
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport lowest Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 THORACENTESIS W/US GUIDE+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $524.30 | $1,498.00 | $180.77–$3,635.00 | 65% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG PULMONARY PROC ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $532.60 | $1,126.00 | $563.00–$900.80 | 53% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $532.60 | $1,126.00 | $563.00–$900.80 | 53% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG PROC ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $593.26 | $1,126.00 | $40.00–$900.80 | 47% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG PROC ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $593.26 | $1,126.00 | $40.00–$900.80 | 47% |
| Hsa St. Joseph one side Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING RT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $620.08 | $1,831.45 | $598.38–$882.22 | 66% |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $620.08 | $2,141.70 | $598.38–$882.22 | 71% |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $918.48 | $1,530.80 | $459.24–$1,530.80 | 40% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 CT THORACENTESIS+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,240.75 | $3,545.00 | $212.56–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,423.68 | $4,449.00 | — | 68% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC U/S THORACENTESIS GUID+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,662.85 | $4,751.00 | $235.39–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC CT THORACENTESIS GUID+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,662.85 | $4,751.00 | $223.75–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC CT THORACENTESIS GUID+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,662.85 | $4,751.00 | $223.75–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC CT THORACENTESIS GUID+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,662.85 | $4,751.00 | $235.39–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC CT THORACENTESIS GUID+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,662.85 | $4,751.00 | $235.39–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC CT THORACENTESIS GUID+1 more line at this price File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,662.85 | $4,751.00 | $223.75–$5,160.00 | 65% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,209.00 | $4,418.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEU W IMAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,427.00 | $4,854.00 | — | 50% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC THORACENTESIS, ASPIRATION PLEURAL SPACE, WITH IMAGING GUIDANCE+5 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $2,611.66 | $3,898.00 | $223.75–$3,703.10 | 33% |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX US THORACENTESIS NEEDLE PLCMT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,909.00 | $2,909.00 | — | — |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX THORACENTESIS NDL W IMAGING File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,172.00 | $3,172.00 | — | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $6,494.17 | $6,494.17 | $234.94–$5,520.04 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $16,300.98 | $16,300.98 | $234.94–$13,855.83 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $16,757.81 | $16,757.81 | $240.10–$14,244.14 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG+2 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $16,757.81 | $16,757.81 | $234.94–$15,082.03 | — |
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 $524.30, median $1,423.68, highest $16,757.81 — a 32.0× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 39 facilities here, median $1,423.68. 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 13 of 17 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.