Thoracentesis cost in Lexington, KY — inpatient
In Lexington-Fayette, KY, 1 hospital lists a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance as an inpatient: from $1,807.68 to $1,807.68, with a median of $1,807.68. Across Kentucky, the median is $2,895.22 at 13 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 32555, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 22, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Apr 1, 2026 and Apr 1, 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky Hospital one side lowest Lexington, KY · (859) 257-2278 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging-Unilateral | $1,807.68 | $4,519.20 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| University of Kentucky Hospital Lexington, KY · (859) 257-2278 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $1,807.68 | $4,519.20 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| University of Kentucky Hospital both sides Lexington, KY · (859) 257-2278 Hc Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging-Bilateral | $2,711.93 | $6,779.82 | — | 60% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $1,807.68, median $1,807.68, highest $1,807.68.
Both sides : lowest $2,711.93, median $2,711.93, highest $2,711.93.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 2 facilities here, median $2,351.45 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
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.