Thoracentesis cost in Minnesota
In Minnesota, 78 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $142.24 to $2,799.00, with a median of $926.91. The lowest price is at Lakewood Health Center (Baudette) and 1 other hospital. The highest price is 19.7× the lowest.
- The median here, $926.91, 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).
- Minnesota ranks 8th of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
- 3 of 78 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. §144.589): a hospital may not charge an uninsured patient whose household income is under $125,000 more than the lowest amount it would be paid for the same service by a private insurer, counting the insured patient's share. If the cash price below is higher, ask the billing office to apply this limit. Each hospital's page here shows the range of insurer rates in its own file (the "Insurers pay" column), a starting point when you ask. Other states' laws.
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 11, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$142.24Lakewood Health Center + 1 more
Median$926.91half of hospitals charge less
Highest$2,799.00in Minnesota
Lowest saves$784.67vs the median
Hospitals in Minnesota, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood Health Center lowest Baudette · Baudette, MN THORCENTESIS W IMAGING ER | $142.24 | $254.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| St. Joseph's Area Health Services lowest Park Rapids · Park Rapids, MN THORCENTESIS W IMAGING ER | $142.24 | $254.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Medical Center Breckenridge · Wahpeton, ND-MN THORCENTESIS W IMAGING ER | $154.94 | $254.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Perham Health Perham · Fergus Falls, MN Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $157.95 | $243.00 | Feb 1, 2026 source file |
| Mille Lacs Health System Onamia · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ER THORACENT W IMAGE | $259.00 | $370.00 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Stevens Community Medical Center Morris · Morris, MN Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $259.50 | $346.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Regions Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Aspirate peura with imaging | $276.12 | $1,062.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Lifecare Medical Center Roseau · Roseau, MN Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $280.72 | $319.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Cloquet · Duluth, MN-WI GS THORACENTESIS PUNCTURE/GUID | $280.96 | $439.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center International Falls · International Falls, MN ED 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $298.14 | $387.19 | May 6, 2026 source file |
| Kittson Healthcare Hallock · Hallock, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $316.00 | $316.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Hutchinson Hospital Hutchinson · Hutchinson, MN Aspirate peura with imaging | $353.74 | $769.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health System Staples · Staples, MN Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $439.58 | $709.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Stillwater · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Aspirate peura with imaging | $487.29 | $1,317.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Madison Hospital Madison · Madison, MN THORACENTESIS, NEEDLE OR CATHETER, ASPIRATION OF THE PLEURAL SPACE; WITH IMAGE GUIDANCE (PBB) | $498.10 | $586.00 | Jun 23, 2026 source file |
| The Cook Hospital Cook · Duluth, MN-WI US thoracentesis | $538.56 | $816.00 | Aug 10, 2026 source file |
| Ortonville Area Health Services Ortonville · Ortonville, MN ED 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $554.20 | $652.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital of Wabasha Wabasha · Rochester, MN HCHG 32555 THORACENTESIS,ASP PLEURAL SPACE;W/IMAG GUID | $559.67 | $919.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Bigfork Valley Hospital Bigfork · Grand Rapids, MN THORACENTESIS NEEDLE | $592.21 | $834.10 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| Glacial Ridge Hospital Glenwood · Glenwood, MN Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $658.96 | $784.48 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Ely · Duluth, MN-WI Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance | $676.35 | $835.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Hospital St. Louis Park · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Aspirate peura with imaging | $699.14 | $2,689.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Meeker County Memorial Hospital Litchfield · Litchfield, MN THORACENTESIS, NEEDLE OR CATHETER, ASPIRATION OF THE PLEURAL SPA | $768.00 | $1,200.00 | Dec 28, 2025 source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.50 | $1,933.91 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital Maplewood · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $775.54 | $1,934.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd · Brainerd, MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $800.87 | $1,190.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Grand Rapids · Grand Rapids, MN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $821.95 | $1,934.00 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| Range Regional Health Services Hibbing · Duluth, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $821.95 | $1,934.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $825.72 | $1,474.50 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Glencoe Regional Health Glencoe · Hutchinson, MN HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $867.53 | $867.53 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Removal of fluid from chest cavity | $893.79 | $1,696.00 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Removal of fluid from chest cavity | $893.79 | $1,696.00 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina United Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE NEEDLE OR CAT | $920.21 | $1,917.10 | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Worthington Medical Center Worthington · Worthington, MN ED 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $933.60 | $1,167.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Welia Health Mora · Mora, MN HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $947.10 | $1,353.00 | Apr 27, 2026 source file |
| Alomere Health Alexandria · Alexandria, MN US THORACENTESIS W IMAGING GUIDANCE | $986.58 | $1,701.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northfield Hospital Northfield · Faribault-Northfield, MN Thoracentesis w/ Imaging | $1,027.00 | $2,455.00 | Apr 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Faribault Medical Center Faribualt · Faribault-Northfield, MN HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG US THORACENTESIS PLEURAL SPACE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Owatonna Hospital Owatonna · Owatonna, MN HCHG IR THORACENTESIS INC IMAGE GUIDANCE | $1,045.58 | $1,867.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Virginia Virginia · Duluth, MN-WI ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,098.37 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Crosby · Brainerd, MN HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $1,111.46 | $3,269.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes · Detroit Lakes, MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,122.86 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Duluth Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,154.34 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Children's Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,154.34 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,154.34 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,163.31 | $2,901.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,232.93 | $2,901.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Windom Area Hospital Windom · Windom, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,234.20 | $1,815.00 | Feb 3, 2026 source file |
| New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm · New Ulm, MN HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION | $1,242.30 | $2,218.40 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| City of Sleepy Eye Sleepy Eye · New Ulm, MN THORACENTESIS W/US GUIDANCE | $1,262.24 | $1,995.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Ada Ada · Ada, MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Deer River Deer River · Grand Rapids, MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Fosston Fosston · Grand Forks, ND-MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Holy Trinity Hospital Graceville · Graceville, MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Moose Lake Moose Lake · Duluth, MN-WI ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Northern Pines Aurora · Duluth, MN-WI ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Sandstone Sandstone · Sandstone, MN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $1,292.51 | $1,749.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI US Thoracentesis for Aspiration Only | $1,352.38 | $2,486.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Dawson · Dawson, MN US THORACENTESIS W IMAGING GUIDANCE | $1,393.80 | $1,639.76 | Sep 8, 2026 source file |
| Astera Health Wadena · Wadena, MN Thoracentesis W Imaging Guidance | $1,415.84 | $1,961.00 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Thief River Falls · Thief River Falls, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,502.40 | $1,878.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Aitkin Community Hospital Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $1,625.40 | $2,902.50 | Aug 12, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Tracy Hospital Tracy · Marshall, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,754.40 | $2,193.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Westbrook Hospital Westbrook · Westbrook, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,754.40 | $2,193.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Luverne Medical Center Luverne · Sioux Falls, SD-MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,778.40 | $2,223.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bagley Medical Center Bagley · Bagley, MN ED 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,852.00 | $2,315.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Bemidji · Bemidji, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,852.00 | $2,315.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Canby Medical Center Canby · Canby, MN SURG 32555 THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $1,907.20 | $2,384.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus Lake View Hospital Two Harbors · Two Harbors, MN US Thoracentesis for Aspiration Only | $2,045.98 | $2,486.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI IR Drain Chest Thoracentesis Ndl/Cath | $2,799.00 | $2,799.00 | May 7, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 20 | $259.00 | $834.66 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 11 | $280.96 | $1,154.34 |
| Grand Rapids, MN | 3 | $592.21 | $821.95 |
| Aitkin, MN | 2 | $825.72 | $1,225.56 |
| Brainerd, MN | 2 | $800.87 | $956.16 |
| Faribault-Northfield, MN | 2 | $1,027.00 | $1,036.29 |
| Hutchinson, MN | 2 | $353.74 | $610.64 |
| New Ulm, MN | 2 | $1,242.30 | $1,252.27 |
| Ada, MN | 1 | $1,292.51 | $1,292.51 |
| Alexandria, MN | 1 | $986.58 | $986.58 |
| Bagley, MN | 1 | $1,852.00 | $1,852.00 |
| Baudette, MN | 1 | $142.24 | $142.24 |
| Bemidji, MN | 1 | $1,852.00 | $1,852.00 |
| Canby, MN | 1 | $1,907.20 | $1,907.20 |
| Dawson, MN | 1 | $1,393.80 | $1,393.80 |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 1 | $1,122.86 | $1,122.86 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 1 | $157.95 | $157.95 |
| Glenwood, MN | 1 | $658.96 | $658.96 |
| Graceville, MN | 1 | $1,292.51 | $1,292.51 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 1 | $1,292.51 | $1,292.51 |
| Hallock, MN | 1 | $316.00 | $316.00 |
| International Falls, MN | 1 | $298.14 | $298.14 |
| Litchfield, MN | 1 | $768.00 | $768.00 |
| Madison, MN | 1 | $498.10 | $498.10 |
| Mora, MN | 1 | $947.10 | $947.10 |
| Morris, MN | 1 | $259.50 | $259.50 |
| Marshall, MN | 1 | $1,754.40 | $1,754.40 |
| Ortonville, MN | 1 | $554.20 | $554.20 |
| Owatonna, MN | 1 | $1,045.58 | $1,045.58 |
| Park Rapids, MN | 1 | $142.24 | $142.24 |
| Roseau, MN | 1 | $280.72 | $280.72 |
| Rochester, MN | 1 | $559.67 | $559.67 |
| Sandstone, MN | 1 | $1,292.51 | $1,292.51 |
| Staples, MN | 1 | $439.58 | $439.58 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 1 | $1,778.40 | $1,778.40 |
| Thief River Falls, MN | 1 | $1,502.40 | $1,502.40 |
| Two Harbors, MN | 1 | $2,045.98 | $2,045.98 |
| Wadena, MN | 1 | $1,415.84 | $1,415.84 |
| Westbrook, MN | 1 | $1,754.40 | $1,754.40 |
| Windom, MN | 1 | $1,234.20 | $1,234.20 |
| Wahpeton, ND-MN | 1 | $154.94 | $154.94 |
| Worthington, MN | 1 | $933.60 | $933.60 |
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
- Arkansas$925.00
- 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
- 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.