Thoracentesis cost in Glendale, CA — inpatient
In Glendale, CA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance as an inpatient: from $3,710.75 to $3,710.75, with a median of $3,710.75. Across California, the median is $2,033.20 at 90 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 32555, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Apr 1, 2026 and Apr 1, 2026.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Glendale, CA · (818) 790-7100 Aspirate Pleura W/ Imaging | $3,710.75 | $3,710.75 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $3,710.75, median $3,710.75, highest $3,710.75.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 1 facility here, median $3,710.75 — 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.