Thoracentesis cost in Minneapolis, MN
In Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, 21 hospitals list a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $276.12 to $1,045.58, with a median of $775.54. The lowest listed price is at Regions Hospital — $499.42 less than the median here. Across Minnesota, the median is $1,045.58 at 51 hospitals.
Cash prices at 21 facilities across 18 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 Jan 29, 2026 and Jun 17, 2026.
Lowest$276.12Regions Hospital
Median$775.54half pay less
Highest$1,045.58in this market
Difference3.8×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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI.
median
Lowest $276.12Highest $2,799.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regions Hospital lowest St. Paul, MN · (651) 254-1616 Aspirate peura with imaging | $276.12 | $1,062.00 | $235.20–$1,869.00 | 74% | — source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale, MN · (763) 520-5200 THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $304.78 | $474.00 | $76.87–$616.32 | 36% | — source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 32555 Thoracentesis Needle Catheter Aspiration Pleural Space | $352.00 | $352.00 | $90.38–$352.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Westfields Hospital New Richmond, WI · (715) 246-2101 Aspirate peura with imaging | $352.42 | $670.00 | $266.12–$1,579.75 | 47% | — source file |
| Hudson Hospital Hudson, WI · (715) 531-6000 Aspirate peura with imaging | $398.32 | $883.00 | $187.37–$2,695.00 | 55% | — source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Stillwater, MN · (651) 430-4509 Aspirate peura with imaging | $487.29 | $1,317.00 | $9.37–$2,241.00 | 63% | — source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville, MN · (952) 892-2000 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $564.40 | $1,328.00 | $72.31–$1,195.20 | 58% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Hospital St. Louis Park, MN Aspirate peura with imaging | $699.14 | $2,689.00 | $355.00–$2,151.00 | 74% | — source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton, MN · (952) 892-2101 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.50 | $1,933.91 | $338.21–$2,872.00 | 60% | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina, MN · (952) 924-5000 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | $338.21–$2,762.00 | 60% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MN · (612) 624-1765 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | $338.21–$2,872.00 | 60% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| HealthEast Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury, MN · (651) 232-2185 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | $338.21–$2,872.00 | 60% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| HealthEast St John's Hospital Maplewood, MN · (651) 232-7000 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | $338.21–$2,872.00 | 60% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming, MN · (952) 892-2101 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | $128.00–$1,740.60 | 60% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MN · (612) 624-1765 Outpatient Services | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | $338.21–$2,872.00 | 60% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina, MN · (952) 924-5000 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $827.64 | $1,320.00 | $72.31–$1,188.00 | 37% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| HealthEast Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury, MN · (651) 232-2185 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $832.66 | $1,328.00 | $72.31–$1,195.20 | 37% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul, MN PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $832.66 | $1,328.00 | $72.31–$1,195.20 | 37% | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MN · (612) 624-1765 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $832.66 | $1,328.00 | $72.31–$1,195.20 | 37% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| HealthEast St John's Hospital Maplewood, MN · (651) 232-7000 PR THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $832.66 | $1,328.00 | $72.31–$1,195.20 | 37% | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale, MN · (763) 520-5200 Removal of fluid from chest cavity | $893.79 | $1,696.00 | $459.83–$4,126.00 | 47% | — source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove, MN · (763) 581-1000 Removal of fluid from chest cavity | $893.79 | $1,696.00 | $422.44–$4,126.00 | 47% | — source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,301.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,301.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,301.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE PORTABLE | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,301.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids, MN · (762) 236-6000 HCHG RAD THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE NEEDLE OR CAT | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,301.00 | 52% | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,255.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,255.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,255.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE PORTABLE | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,255.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN · (612) 863-4000 HCHG RAD THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE NEEDLE OR CAT | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | $297.06–$4,255.00 | 52% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$1,867.10 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$1,867.10 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG RAD THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE NEEDLE OR CAT | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$1,867.10 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG RAD THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE NEEDLE OR CAT | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.50 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.50 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.50 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.50 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG RAD THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE NEEDLE OR CAT | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$3,760.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | $375.66–$1,867.10 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul, MN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,163.31 | $2,901.00 | $576.56–$2,610.90 | 60% | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville, MN · (952) 892-2000 HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,232.93 | $2,901.00 | $220.87–$2,610.90 | 57% | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo, MN · (763) 682-1212 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE PORTABLE | $1,395.13 | $2,491.30 | $426.66–$3,760.50 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge, MN · (763) 689-7700 HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE PORTABLE | $1,395.13 | $2,491.30 | $426.66–$3,760.00 | 44% | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Systems River Falls, WI HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE PORTABLE | $1,395.13 | $2,491.30 | $437.25–$2,491.30 | 44% | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING | $2,799.00 | $2,799.00 | $231.55–$2,799.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 IR Drain Chest Thoracentesis Ndl/Cath | $2,799.00 | $2,799.00 | $231.55–$2,799.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 US HH LTD THORACENTESIS | $2,799.00 | $2,799.00 | $231.55–$2,799.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 SS THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING-IR | $2,799.00 | $2,799.00 | $231.55–$2,799.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis, MN · (612) 813-6112 SS THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING | $2,799.00 | $2,799.00 | $231.55–$2,799.00 | — | May 7, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $276.12, median $775.54, highest $1,045.58 — a 3.8× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 21 facilities here, median $774.98. 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 20 of 21 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.
1 row held back from this comparison
It is priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 32555 ($1,171.30). Such a line is almost always a physician's fee billed separately, an assistant's share or a placeholder — a real charge, but not the price of the procedure itself.
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis, MNAS THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $99.07 | file |