Paracentesis cost in Ames, IA
In Ames, IA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for paracentesis with imaging guidance: from $1,392.55 to $1,392.55, with a median of $1,392.55. Across Iowa, the median is $1,132.80 at 62 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 49083, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jul 27, 2026 and Jul 27, 2026.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone County Hospital Boone, IA · (515) 432-3140 Drainage of fluid from abdominal cavity using imaging guidance | $1,392.55 | $1,740.69 | $713.68–$1,653.66 | 20% | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $1,392.55, median $1,392.55, highest $1,392.55.
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
Paracentesis removes fluid from the abdomen with a needle, using ultrasound to guide it.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the procedure and guidance. Lab tests and albumin infusion are billed separately.