Thoracentesis cost in Alabama
In Alabama, 10 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $1,011.45 to $3,998.01, with a median of $3,129.16. The lowest price is at East Alabama Medical Center (Opelika). The highest price is 4.0× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 32555. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 23, 2026.
Hospitals in Alabama, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Alabama Medical Center lowest Opelika · Auburn-Opelika, AL US Thoracentesis(radiology to determine site) | $1,011.45 | $1,839.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Springhill Memorial Hospital Mobile · Mobile, AL US THORACENTESIS S | $1,175.38 | $1,382.80 | Apr 2, 2026 source file |
| Crestwood Medical Center Huntsville · Huntsville, AL US-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $1,598.47 | $8,880.38 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Huntsville Hospital Huntsville · Huntsville, AL BLLN,BAKRI POSTPARTUM 24FR | $1,603.50 | $1,603.50 | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham · Birmingham, AL HC Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $2,885.32 | $6,710.04 | — source file |
| Baptist Health Citizens Hospital Talladega · Talladega-Sylacauga, AL Hb Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $3,373.00 | $3,373.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Princeton Hospital Birmingham · Birmingham, AL Hb Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $3,373.00 | $3,373.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Shelby Hospital Alabaster · Birmingham, AL Hb Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $3,373.00 | $3,373.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Walker Hospital Jasper · Birmingham, AL Hb Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $3,373.00 | $3,373.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham · Birmingham, AL Hb Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $3,998.01 | $3,998.01 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 5 | $2,885.32 | $3,373.00 |
| Huntsville, AL | 2 | $1,598.47 | $1,600.98 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 1 | $1,011.45 | $1,011.45 |
| Mobile, AL | 1 | $1,175.38 | $1,175.38 |
| Talladega-Sylacauga, AL | 1 | $3,373.00 | $3,373.00 |
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.
Thoracentesis with imaging guidance in other states
- Alaska$2,541.24
- Arizona$5,748.00
- Arkansas$809.60
- California$2,033.20
- Colorado$4,893.55
- Connecticut$847.92
- Delaware$1,784.75
- Florida$2,001.98
- Georgia$2,939.04
- Hawaii$925.80
- Idaho$1,672.00
- Illinois$960.00
- Indiana$1,219.40
- Iowa$766.40
- Kansas$3,616.60
- Kentucky$2,895.22
- Louisiana$646.80
- Maine$377.30
- Maryland$1,580.35
- Massachusetts$1,645.70
- Michigan$1,084.15
- Minnesota$1,045.58
- Mississippi$643.32
- Missouri$720.85
- Montana$447.99
- Nebraska$630.87
- Nevada$1,231.80
- New Hampshire$820.64
- New Jersey$818.31
- New Mexico$934.15
- New York$737.31
- North Carolina$1,571.00
- North Dakota$599.76
- Ohio$1,825.53
- Oklahoma$673.55
- Oregon$868.70
- Pennsylvania$1,425.60
- Rhode Island$2,700.00
- South Carolina$1,486.25
- South Dakota$1,842.00
- Tennessee$487.08
- Texas$1,325.03
- Utah$1,348.18
- Vermont$500.00
- Virginia$1,659.00
- Washington$1,366.08
- West Virginia$1,626.31
- Wisconsin$1,150.00
- Wyoming$727.08
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.