Thoracentesis cost in Ruston, LA — inpatient
In Ruston, LA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance as an inpatient: from $1,341.72 to $1,341.72, with a median of $1,341.72. Across Louisiana, the median is $626.81 at 20 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 32555, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jun 19, 2026 and Jun 19, 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 Ruston, LA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Louisiana Medical Center lowest Ruston, LA · (318) 254-2100 ASPIRATE PLRA W/IMAG | $1,341.72 | $2,439.50 | $182.47–$2,489.00 | 45% | Jun 19, 2026 source file |
| Northern Louisiana Medical Center lowest Ruston, LA · (318) 254-2100 ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,341.72 | $2,439.50 | $182.47–$2,489.00 | 45% | Jun 19, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $1,341.72, median $1,341.72, highest $1,341.72.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 1 facility here, median $1,341.72 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. 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.