Thoracentesis cost in Arkansas
In Arkansas, 43 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $136.50 to $2,909.00, with a median of $925.00. The lowest price is at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden (West Memphis). The highest price is 21.3× the lowest.
- The median here, $925.00, is 24% below the US median of $1,224.53.
- That is 1.4× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($640.89).
- Arkansas ranks 7th of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
- 4 of 43 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
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 Nov 9, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$136.50Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden
Median$925.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$2,909.00in Arkansas
Lowest saves$788.50vs the median
Hospitals in Arkansas, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden lowest West Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $136.50 | $910.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Conway Regional Medical Center Conway · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR THORACENTESIS ND OR CATH W GDN | $152.02 | $691.00 | Jul 2, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-NEA Jonesboro · Jonesboro, AR HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $168.53 | $887.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Dardanelle Regional Medical Center Dardanelle · Russellville, AR THORACENTESIS ND OR CATH W GDN | $172.75 | $691.00 | Aug 17, 2026 source file |
| North Arkansas Regional Medical Center Harrison · Harrison, AR US THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING | $253.58 | $253.58 | Nov 1, 2026 source file |
| Siloam Springs Arkansas Hospital Siloam Springs · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR US-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $354.92 | $1,183.05 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| CHI St Vincent Morrilton Morrilton · Morrilton, AR THORACENTESIS W/IMAGE GUIDE | $383.17 | $1,752.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR CT THORACENTESIS OR ASP W IMG | $387.19 | $1,581.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Chambers Memorial Hospital Danville · Russellville, AR Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $387.50 | $775.00 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| CHI St Vincent Hospital Hot Springs Hot Springs · Hot Springs, AR HC Thoracentesis W/Imaging | $391.16 | $1,540.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center Sherwood · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR THORACENTESIS W IMAGING GUIDANCE | $436.78 | $1,752.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Regional Medical Center Clarksville · Clarksville, AR THORACENTESIS/W/IMAGING GUIDE | $451.61 | $821.12 | Nov 25, 2025 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - El Dorado El Dorado · El Dorado, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $498.49 | $1,993.94 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - Heber Springs Heber Springs · Heber Springs, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $498.49 | $1,993.94 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baxter Health Mountain Home · Mountain Home, AR Aspirate Pleura W/ Imaging Us | $730.80 | $1,218.00 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| UAMS Health Benton-Bryant Bryant · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ASPIRATION OF FLUID FROM CHEST CAVITY USING IMAGING GUIDANCE | $750.00 | $1,250.00 | Oct 1, 2026 source file |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ASPIRATION OF FLUID FROM CHEST CAVITY USING IMAGING GUIDANCE | $750.00 | $1,250.00 | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Arkansas Heart Hospital Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 32555-Thoracentesis w/ Imaging Guidance | $809.60 | $1,012.00 | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Arkansas Heart Hospital-Encore Bryant · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Aspirate Pleura w/Imaging 32555 | $809.60 | $1,012.00 | Nov 21, 2025 source file |
| Northwest Medical Center-Springdale Springdale · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR S-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $897.48 | $4,273.71 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| McGehee Hospital McGehee · McGehee, AR ER THORACENTESIS, ASPIR PLERL SPC W/ IM | $916.56 | $1,368.00 | Apr 9, 2026 source file |
| Ouachita County Medical Center Camden · Camden, AR ULTRASOUND GUIDED THORACENTESIS | $925.00 | $1,850.00 | Mar 29, 2026 source file |
| Arkansas Childrens Hospital Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $960.85 | $1,067.61 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Arkansas Childrens Northwest Springdale · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $960.85 | $1,067.61 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Berryville Berryville · Berryville, AR Thoracentesis Pleural Space W Guidance | $967.85 | $1,489.00 | Jun 4, 2026 source file |
| Ozark Health Clinton · Clinton, AR MS THORACENTESIS W IMAGE GUIDANCE | $999.96 | $1,923.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center Hope · Hope, AR CT THORACENTESIS | $1,000.00 | $2,500.00 | Apr 24, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - Drew County Monticello · Monticello, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $1,001.00 | $4,004.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Paris E Academy Paris · E Academy Paris, AR Thoracentesis Pleural Space W Guidance | $1,008.15 | $1,551.00 | Jun 8, 2026 source file |
| Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville Bentonville · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR S-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $1,025.69 | $4,273.71 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health - Fort Smith Fort Smith · Fort Smith, AR-OK 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $1,047.31 | $4,189.24 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $1,089.89 | $4,359.57 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - North Little Rock North Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $1,162.87 | $4,651.47 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Fort Smith · Fort Smith, AR-OK Thoracentesis Pleural Space W Guidance | $1,190.80 | $1,832.00 | Jun 8, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Fort Smith Fort Smith · Fort Smith, AR-OK Thoracentesis Pleural Space W Guidance | $1,190.80 | $1,832.00 | Jun 8, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - Conway Conway · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $1,239.58 | $4,958.32 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Medical Center - Magnolia Magnolia · Magnolia, AR 32555 - THORACENTESIS NEEDLE-CATH PLEURA W-IMAGING | $1,239.58 | $4,958.32 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Rogers Department Bella Vista · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Thoracentesis Asp Pleural Space W Guidance | $1,337.05 | $2,057.00 | Jun 8, 2026 source file |
| Willow Creek Womens Hospital Johnson · Johnson, AR S-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $1,410.32 | $4,273.71 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Jefferson Regional Medical Center Pine Bluff · Pine Bluff, AR 32555 Aspirate Peura W/Imaging | $1,440.00 | $1,440.00 | Feb 13, 2026 source file |
| Chicot Memorial Medical Center Lake Village · Lake Village, AR THORACENTESIS W IMAGE GUIDE | $1,577.00 | $1,577.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Washington Regional Medical Center Fayetteville · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR HC Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $2,265.75 | $3,021.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cornerstone Hospital Little Rock Little Rock · Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR US THORACENTESIS NEEDLE PLCMT | $2,909.00 | $2,909.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Check the item The description in the hospital file looks like a supply or device (a catheter, a brace, an implant), not this procedure. The hospital may have filed it under the wrong code: ask before relying on this price.
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 12 | $152.02 | $809.60 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 6 | $354.92 | $993.27 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 3 | $1,047.31 | $1,190.80 |
| Russellville, AR | 2 | $172.75 | $280.12 |
| Berryville, AR | 1 | $967.85 | $967.85 |
| Clarksville, AR | 1 | $451.61 | $451.61 |
| Clinton, AR | 1 | $999.96 | $999.96 |
| Camden, AR | 1 | $925.00 | $925.00 |
| E Academy Paris, AR | 1 | $1,008.15 | $1,008.15 |
| El Dorado, AR | 1 | $498.49 | $498.49 |
| Heber Springs, AR | 1 | $498.49 | $498.49 |
| Hope, AR | 1 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Harrison, AR | 1 | $253.58 | $253.58 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 1 | $391.16 | $391.16 |
| Johnson, AR | 1 | $1,410.32 | $1,410.32 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 1 | $168.53 | $168.53 |
| Lake Village, AR | 1 | $1,577.00 | $1,577.00 |
| McGehee, AR | 1 | $916.56 | $916.56 |
| Monticello, AR | 1 | $1,001.00 | $1,001.00 |
| Morrilton, AR | 1 | $383.17 | $383.17 |
| Magnolia, AR | 1 | $1,239.58 | $1,239.58 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1 | $136.50 | $136.50 |
| Mountain Home, AR | 1 | $730.80 | $730.80 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 1 | $1,440.00 | $1,440.00 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What thoracentesis is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Thoracentesis explained.
Thoracentesis with imaging guidance in other states
- Alabama$1,055.53
- Alaska$2,211.30
- Arizona$1,106.95
- California$2,033.20
- Colorado$1,250.95
- Connecticut$1,253.00
- Delaware$1,784.75
- District of Columbia$1,228.69, 3 hospitals
- Florida$1,874.28
- Georgia$1,410.41
- Hawaii$1,434.00
- Idaho$1,155.70
- Illinois$1,250.00
- Indiana$1,095.50
- Iowa$983.20
- Kansas$969.83
- Kentucky$978.22
- Louisiana$646.80
- Maine$686.40
- Maryland$1,249.16
- Massachusetts$1,787.00
- Michigan$1,092.18
- Minnesota$926.91
- Mississippi$843.94
- Missouri$1,022.79
- Montana$927.54
- Nebraska$939.00
- Nevada$1,259.58
- New Hampshire$1,063.30
- New Jersey$1,782.00
- New Mexico$1,229.41
- New York$1,282.00
- North Carolina$1,029.60
- North Dakota$792.75
- Ohio$1,737.60
- Oklahoma$684.00
- Oregon$1,534.65
- Pennsylvania$1,474.38
- Puerto Rico$600.00, 4 hospitals
- Rhode Island$1,714.65
- South Carolina$1,404.00
- South Dakota$1,842.00
- Tennessee$633.65
- Texas$1,410.82
- Utah$1,018.79
- Vermont$1,258.00
- Virginia$1,321.80
- Washington$1,321.84
- West Virginia$1,250.40
- Wisconsin$1,200.00
- Wyoming$1,088.89
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.