Thoracentesis cost in Indianapolis, IN
In Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, 14 hospitals list a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $987.60 to $5,203.80, with a median of $1,126.93. The lowest listed price is at St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital and 4 other hospitals — $139.33 less than the median here. Across Indiana, the median is $1,219.40 at 56 hospitals.
Cash prices at 14 facilities across 9 cities for code 32555, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 31, 2026 and May 5, 2026.
Lowest$987.60St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital + 4 more
Median$1,126.93half pay less
Highest$5,203.80in this market
Difference5.3×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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN.
median
Lowest $987.60Highest $5,203.80
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital lowest Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital lowest Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital lowest Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center lowest Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center lowest Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg lowest Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg lowest Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center lowest Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center lowest Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital lowest Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $987.60 | $1,646.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $1,009.20 | $1,682.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $1,009.20 | $1,682.00 | $32.53–$1,416.85 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $1,055.40 | $1,759.00 | $32.53–$1,728.79 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ CT | $1,055.40 | $1,759.00 | $32.53–$1,728.79 | 40% | — source file |
| Major Hospital Shelbyville, IN · (317) 392-3211 Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $1,198.46 | $3,866.00 | $412.39–$3,827.34 | 69% | Apr 7, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Franklin, IN · (317) 736-3300 Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $1,460.00 | $1,825.00 | $412.39–$1,770.25 | 20% | May 5, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Franklin, IN · (317) 736-3300 Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $1,520.00 | $1,900.00 | $412.39–$1,843.00 | 20% | May 5, 2026 source file |
| Riverview Health Noblesville, IN · (317) 773-0760 THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE W GUIDANCE | $1,621.80 | $2,703.00 | — | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,630.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,630.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $1,674.00 | $2,790.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,227.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Carmel, IN · (317) 583-5000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,227.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,281.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Naab Road Surgery Center Indianapolis, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,281.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,281.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Endo Surgery Center Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,281.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Fishers Hospital Fishers, IN · (317) 415-9000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,281.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Carmel AmbSurg Carmel, IN THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$3,281.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, IN · (317) 582-7000 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $1,980.00 | $3,300.00 | $32.53–$2,273.62 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $2,036.40 | $3,394.00 | $32.53–$3,392.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $2,036.40 | $3,394.00 | $32.53–$3,392.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $2,613.00 | $4,355.00 | $32.53–$2,787.20 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ IM | $2,613.00 | $4,355.00 | $32.53–$2,787.20 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $2,682.00 | $4,470.00 | $32.53–$2,860.80 | 40% | — source file |
| Ascension St Vincent Mercy Elwood, IN · (765) 552-4743 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $2,682.00 | $4,470.00 | $32.53–$2,860.80 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $2,816.40 | $4,694.00 | $32.53–$4,631.00 | 40% | — source file |
| St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital Anderson, IN · (765) 649-2511 THORACENTESIS NDL OR CATH+ ULS | $2,816.40 | $4,694.00 | $32.53–$4,631.00 | 40% | — source file |
| Eskenazi Health Indianapolis, IN · (317) 880-4818 HC Aspirate Pleura W/Imaging | $3,498.30 | $3,887.00 | $663.00–$3,887.00 | 10% | — source file |
| Eskenazi Health Indianapolis, IN · (317) 880-4818 HC Aspirate Pleura W/Imaging | $5,120.28 | $5,689.20 | $663.00–$5,689.20 | 10% | — source file |
| Witham Memorial Hospital Lebanon, IN · (765) 485-8000 Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $5,203.80 | $7,434.00 | $412.39–$18,585.00 | 30% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $987.60, median $1,126.93, highest $5,203.80 — a 5.3× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 12 facilities here, median $1,032.30. 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 13 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.