Thoracentesis cost in Maryland
In Maryland, 4 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $132.41 to $2,090.52, with a median of $1,580.35. The lowest price is at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (Towson). The highest price is 15.8× 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 Maryland, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Baltimore Medical Center lowest Towson · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD HC CT Guided Thoracentesis | $132.41 | $135.11 | — source file |
| TidalHealth Peninsula Salisbury · Salisbury, MD HC US THORA | $1,249.16 | $1,274.65 | — source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD HC THORACENTESIS ASP PLEURAL SPACE W IMAGE GUIDANCE | $1,911.54 | $1,950.55 | — source file |
| Atlantic General Hospital Berlin · Ocean Pines, MD Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance | $2,090.52 | $2,090.52 | — source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2 | $132.41 | $1,021.98 |
| Ocean Pines, MD | 1 | $2,090.52 | $2,090.52 |
| Salisbury, MD | 1 | $1,249.16 | $1,249.16 |
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
- 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
- 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.