Thoracentesis cost in Slidell, LA
In Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $646.80 to $646.80, with a median of $646.80. Across Louisiana, the median is $646.80 at 13 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility 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 Jul 1, 2026 and Jul 1, 2026.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeview Hospital Covington, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $646.80 | $4,620.00 | $1,104.18–$965.58 | 86% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $646.80, median $646.80, highest $646.80.
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 and 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.