Thoracentesis cost in California
In California, 90 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $280.70 to $5,978.73, with a median of $2,033.20. The lowest price is at Madera Community Hospital (Madera). The highest price is 21.3× 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 24, 2026.
Lowest$280.70Madera Community Hospital
Median$2,033.20half pay less
Highest$5,978.73in California
Lowest saves$1,752.50vs the median
Hospitals in California, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera Community Hospital lowest Madera · Fresno, CA Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $280.70 | $467.84 | Jul 30, 2026 source file |
| County of Monterey Salinas · Salinas, CA Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $355.00 | $355.00 | Aug 14, 2026 source file |
| St Jude Hospital Fullerton · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING CDM | $632.16 | $1,317.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Hayward Sisters Hospital Hayward · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS W/IMAG GUID | $664.90 | $2,216.34 | Feb 23, 2026 source file |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING CDM | $745.85 | $2,131.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Centinela Hospital Medical Center Inglewood · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORANCENTS TUBE INSERT | $802.00 | $1,837.71 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Chino Valley Medical Center Chino · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Hc Thoracentesis Ndl/Cath Pleura Asp W Imag | $802.00 | $4,298.04 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Desert Valley Hospital Victorville · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING - 32555 - 46832555 | $802.00 | $3,543.86 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Encino Hospital Medical Center Encino · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA US THORACENTESIS | $802.00 | $1,837.71 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| La Palma Intercommunity Hospital La Palma · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Hc Thoracentesis Ndl/Cath Pleura Asp W Imag | $802.00 | $5,370.46 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Montclair Hospital Medical Center Montclair · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Hc Thoracentesis Ndl/Cath Pleura Asp W Imag | $802.00 | $4,298.04 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Paradise Valley Hospital National City · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA INJ THORACENTESIS - 32555 - 0960021 | $802.00 | $1,837.71 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Shasta Regional Medical Center Redding · Redding, CA ASPIRATE PLEURA W/IMG GUIDE | $802.00 | $2,708.10 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sherman Oaks Hospital Sherman Oaks · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA US GUIDED THORACENTESIS | $802.00 | $3,100.05 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Co of Mary Medical Center San Pedro San Pedro · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $834.05 | $2,383.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Torrance · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $834.05 | $2,383.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| NorthBay Medical Center Fairfield · Vallejo, CA Thrcntss Ndl/Cth Plr W/Imgng | $870.00 | $870.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Ridgecrest · Bakersfield-Delano, CA Us thoracentesis | $954.00 | $1,800.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Tri-City Medical Center Oceanside · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 32555-Thoracentesis w/ Imaging Guidance | $991.12 | $1,651.86 | May 29, 2026 source file |
| Watsonville Community Hospital Watsonville · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,043.73 | $1,739.55 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital Upland · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $1,083.00 | $10,680.00 | Apr 2, 2026 source file |
| El Camino Hospital Mountain View · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HC THORACENTESIS W IMAGING GUIDANCE | $1,148.75 | $4,595.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING CDM | $1,246.70 | $3,562.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palo Verde Hospital Blythe · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA US Paracentesis | $1,347.75 | $1,797.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Stanford Health Care Stanford · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Aspirate Pleura W/ Imaging | $1,471.50 | $2,943.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Arcadia Hospital Arcadia · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING | $1,616.30 | $4,618.00 | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Apple Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,632.00 | $3,400.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Joseph Hospital of Orange Orange · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,684.80 | $3,510.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA OPG - 1 | $1,792.78 | $2,758.13 | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta Murrieta · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIRATN W GUID | $1,841.85 | $4,093.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital Loma Linda · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIRATN W GUID | $1,916.55 | $4,259.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Saint John's Health Center Santa Monica · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,992.90 | $5,694.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Baldwin Park Baldwin Park · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Downey Downey · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fontana Fontana · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Los Angeles Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Moreno Valley Moreno Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Ontario Ontario · Ontario, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Anaheim Anaheim · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Orange County - Irvine Irvine · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Panorama City Panorama City · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Riverside Riverside · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Clairemont Mesa San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Zion San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos San Marcos · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Bay Harbor City · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - West la Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills Woodland Hills · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,033.20 | $3,910.00 | — source file |
| Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center Fresno · Fresno, CA Prostate Seed Implant | $2,088.80 | $2,611.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center Clovis · Fresno, CA RADP-US GUIDED THORACENTESIS | $2,088.80 | $2,611.00 | Jun 15, 2026 source file |
| Petaluma Valley Hospital Petaluma · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,134.86 | $4,186.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Healdsburg Hospital Healdsburg · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC CT THORACENTESIS | $2,204.22 | $4,322.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital & Rehab Center - Vallejo Vallejo · Vallejo, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Antioch Antioch · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fremont Fremont · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Fresno Fresno · Fresno, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Manteca Manteca · Stockton-Lodi, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Modesto Modesto · Modesto, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Oakland/Richmond Oakland · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Redwood City Redwood City · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Richmond Campus Richmond · Richmond, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Roseville Roseville · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Sacramento Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Francisco San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Jose San Jose · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Leandro San Leandro · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Rafael San Rafael · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Santa Clara Santa Clara · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Santa Rosa Santa Rosa · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South Sacramento Sacramento · Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - South San Francisco South San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Vacaville Vacaville · Vallejo, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Walnut Creek Walnut Creek · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,346.40 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Riverside University Medical Center Moreno Valley · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC Thoracentesis Aspiratn W Guid | $2,391.55 | $2,391.55 | — source file |
| Hospital of Barstow Barstow · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $2,447.70 | $4,079.50 | Sep 17, 2026 source file |
| Loma Linda University Medical Center Loma Linda · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIRATN W GUID | $2,593.80 | $5,764.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Mission Hospital Regional Med Center Mission Viejo · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $2,950.08 | $6,146.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Pleasanton · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Thoracentis W/Image Guide | $2,956.00 | $7,390.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UC San Diego Medical Center San Diego · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Removal Of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $2,984.30 | $5,426.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA HC ED THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING CDM | $3,179.75 | $9,085.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Santa Rosa · Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $3,436.89 | $6,739.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Glendale · Glendale, CA Aspirate Pleura W/ Imaging | $3,710.75 | $3,710.75 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Chinese Hospital Association San Francisco · San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $3,713.00 | $3,713.00 | Jul 22, 2026 source file |
| USC Kenneth Norris Jr Cancer Hospital Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Aspirate Pleura W/ Imaging | $3,786.25 | $3,786.25 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA OUTPATIENT SURGERY CPT GROUP 1 | $4,099.65 | $6,307.15 | Nov 26, 2025 source file |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital Truckee · Truckee-Grass Valley, CA Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $4,130.00 | $4,130.00 | Jul 6, 2026 source file |
| Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center Napa · Napa, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $4,136.61 | $8,111.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital Fortuna · Eureka-Arcata, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $4,137.63 | $8,113.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Keck Hospital of USC Los Angeles · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Aspirate Pleura W/ Imaging | $4,738.75 | $4,738.75 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Providence St Joseph Hospital Eureka · Eureka-Arcata, CA HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $5,978.73 | $11,723.00 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 27 | $632.16 | $2,033.20 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 14 | $802.00 | $1,879.20 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 12 | $664.90 | $2,346.40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 6 | $802.00 | $2,033.20 |
| Fresno, CA | 4 | $280.70 | $2,088.80 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 4 | $1,148.75 | $1,908.95 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 4 | $2,134.86 | $2,275.31 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 3 | $2,346.40 | $2,346.40 |
| Vallejo, CA | 3 | $870.00 | $2,346.40 |
| Eureka-Arcata, CA | 2 | $4,137.63 | $5,058.18 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 1 | $954.00 | $954.00 |
| Glendale, CA | 1 | $3,710.75 | $3,710.75 |
| Modesto, CA | 1 | $2,346.40 | $2,346.40 |
| Napa, CA | 1 | $4,136.61 | $4,136.61 |
| Ontario, CA | 1 | $2,033.20 | $2,033.20 |
| Richmond, CA | 1 | $2,346.40 | $2,346.40 |
| Redding, CA | 1 | $802.00 | $802.00 |
| Salinas, CA | 1 | $355.00 | $355.00 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 1 | $1,043.73 | $1,043.73 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1 | $2,346.40 | $2,346.40 |
| Truckee-Grass Valley, CA | 1 | $4,130.00 | $4,130.00 |
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
- Alabama$3,129.16
- Alaska$2,541.24
- Arizona$5,748.00
- Arkansas$809.60
- 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.