Thoracentesis cost in Tennessee
In Tennessee, 63 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $170.60 to $3,495.89, with a median of $633.65. The lowest price is at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City (Union City). The highest price is 20.5× the lowest.
- The median here, $633.65, is 48% below the US median of $1,224.53.
- That is about the same as Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($640.89).
- Tennessee has the lowest median of 50 states with at least 5 hospitals pricing this code.
- 1 of 63 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 11, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$170.60Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City
Median$633.65half of hospitals charge less
Highest$3,495.89in Tennessee
Lowest saves$463.05vs the median
Hospitals in Tennessee, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City lowest Union City · Union City, TN HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $170.60 | $853.00 | Feb 25, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville Collierville · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $191.10 | $910.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $191.10 | $910.00 | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Women's Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $191.10 | $910.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Hardin County General Hospital Savannah · Savannah, TN 32555-Thoracentesis w/ Imaging Guidance | $313.24 | $820.00 | May 1, 2026 source file |
| Houston County Community Hospital Erin · Erin, TN PF ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $351.73 | $879.33 | Oct 20, 2026 source file |
| Hancock County Hospital Sneedville · Sneedville, TN HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $376.51 | $1,637.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Bristol Regional Medical Center Bristol · Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Franklin Woods Community Hospital Johnson City · Johnson City, TN HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Greeneville Community Hospital Greeneville · Greeneville, TN HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Hawkins County Memorial Hospital Rogersville · Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Holston Valley Medical Center Kingsport · Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Indian Path Community Hospital Kingsport · Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Johnson City Medical Center Johnson City · Johnson City, TN HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Sycamore Shoals Hospital Elizabethton · Johnson City, TN HC THORACENTESIS ASPIR W IMAG GUID | $383.85 | $2,559.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Claiborne Medical Center one side Tazewell · Tazewell, TN US THORACNT W/IMG RT | $413.28 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Leconte Medical Center one side Sevierville · Sevierville, TN THORACENTESIS W IMAGING LT | $428.04 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Morristown Hamblen Hospital Association Morristown · Morristown, TN SP THORACENTESIS W IMAG GUID | $442.80 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Parkwest Medical Center Knoxville · Knoxville, TN THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $442.80 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Cumberland Medical Center one side Crossville · Crossville, TN SP THORACENTESIS W IMAG GUID RT | $472.32 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital Clarksville · Clarksville, TN-KY IR-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $477.23 | $2,459.92 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Fort Loudoun Medical Center one side Lenoir City · Knoxville, TN CT THORACENTESIS W IMAG GUID | $487.08 | $1,476.00 | Aug 27, 2026 source file |
| Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center one side Knoxville · Knoxville, TN US THORACENTESIS W IMAG GUID | $487.08 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge one side Oak Ridge · Knoxville, TN CT THORACENTESIS W IMAG GUID | $487.08 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Roane County Medical Center one side Harriman · Knoxville, TN CT THORACENTESIS W IMAG GUID | $487.08 | $1,476.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Lebonheur Childrens Hosp Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $495.88 | $2,254.00 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| Methodist University Hospital Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $495.88 | $2,254.00 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital Germantown · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $495.88 | $2,254.00 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| Methodist North Hospital Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC Thoracentesis Needle/Cath Pleura W/Imaging | $505.12 | $2,296.00 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| Rhea Medical Center Dayton · Dayton, TN RK- THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLE PRO FE | $521.56 | $767.00 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| DeKalb Community Hospital Smithville · Smithville, TN THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG (LT) | $633.65 | $2,112.15 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital Sparta · Cookeville, TN THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG (RT) | $633.65 | $2,112.15 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Thomas River Park Hospital McMinnville · McMinnville, TN THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG (RT) | $633.65 | $2,112.15 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital one side Murfreesboro · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN US THORACENTESIS LEFT | $633.65 | $2,112.15 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Thomas West Hospital one side Harding Pk Nashville · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN US THORACENTESIS LEFT | $633.65 | $2,112.15 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Stones River Hospital Woodbury · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN THORACENTESIS W/ IMAG (RT) | $633.65 | $2,112.15 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| STRHS Lawrenceburg Lawrenceburg · Lawrenceburg, TN Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance | $673.11 | $2,703.24 | Jul 14, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County Huntingdon · Huntingdon, TN HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $702.88 | $3,056.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Jackson · Jackson, TN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $720.90 | $2,403.00 | Jun 5, 2026 source file |
| West Tennessee Healthcare Bolivar Hospital Bolivar · Bolivar, TN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $720.90 | $2,403.00 | Jun 2, 2026 source file |
| West Tennessee Healthcare Camden Hospital Camden · Camden, TN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $720.90 | $2,403.00 | Jun 2, 2026 source file |
| West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital Dyersburg · Dyersburg, TN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $720.90 | $2,403.00 | Jun 2, 2026 source file |
| West Tennessee Healthcare Milan Hospital Milan · Jackson, TN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $720.90 | $2,403.00 | Jun 2, 2026 source file |
| West Tennessee Healthcare Volunteer Hospital Martin · Martin, TN HC THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAGING | $720.90 | $2,403.00 | Jun 2, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton Covington · Memphis, TN-MS-AR HC ED 32555-THORACENTESIS W IMAGING | $733.44 | $3,056.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Saint Thomas Hospital for Specialty Surgery Nashville · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $784.32 | — | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| STRHS Winchester Winchester · Winchester, TN Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance | $789.55 | $3,196.55 | Jul 11, 2026 source file |
| Unity Medical Center Manchester · Tullahoma-Manchester, TN US SC THORACENTESIS PUNCTURE | $817.60 | $1,022.00 | Feb 27, 2026 source file |
| Regional One Health Memphis · Memphis, TN-MS-AR 4404200000 - ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMGNG | $847.15 | $1,317.49 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Physicians Regional Medical Center Powell · Knoxville, TN IR-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $959.68 | $4,237.01 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Sumner Regional Medical Center Gallatin · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance | $1,029.28 | $4,417.52 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Macon Community Hospital Lafayette · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN THORACENTESIS NEEDLE OR CATHETER ASPIRATION OF THE PLEURAL SPACE TECHFEE | $1,112.88 | $1,854.80 | Mar 21, 2026 source file |
| Lafollette Medical Center Lafollette · Knoxville, TN CT-THORACNTSIS W IMG | $1,143.99 | $4,237.01 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital Shelbyville · Shelbyville, TN HC THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING GUID | $1,222.06 | $4,214.00 | Oct 1, 2026 source file |
| Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital Tullahoma · Tullahoma-Manchester, TN HC THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING GUID | $1,222.06 | $4,214.00 | Oct 1, 2026 source file |
| Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital Lebanon · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN HC THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING GUID | $1,222.06 | $4,214.00 | Oct 1, 2026 source file |
| West Tennessee Healthcare Henry County Hospital Paris · Paris, TN THORACENTESIS NEEDLE/CATH PLEURA W/IMAG | $1,280.00 | $1,280.00 | Jun 2, 2026 source file |
| Metro Nashville General Hospital Nashville · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 32555 Thorocentesis W/ Imaging | $1,327.80 | $2,213.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| CHI Memorial Hospital - Hixson Hixson · Chattanooga, TN-GA HC U/S THORACENTESIS GUID | $1,386.17 | $4,683.00 | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| STRHS Pulaski Pulaski · Pulaski, TN Thoracentesis, needle or catheter, aspiration of the pleural space; with imaging guidance | $1,404.45 | $4,842.92 | Jul 14, 2026 source file |
| Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital Pikeville · Pikeville, TN HC Thora W Image Guide | $1,913.47 | $6,621.00 | Jan 25, 2026 source file |
| Memorial Health Care System Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN-GA HC THORACENTESIS W/IMAGING | $1,980.91 | $4,683.00 | Feb 28, 2026 source file |
| Erlanger Health Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN-GA HC Thora W Image Guide | $3,495.89 | $6,621.00 | Jan 25, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 9 | $191.10 | $495.88 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 8 | $633.65 | $906.80 |
| Knoxville, TN | 7 | $442.80 | $487.08 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 4 | $383.85 | $383.85 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 3 | $1,386.17 | $1,980.91 |
| Johnson City, TN | 3 | $383.85 | $383.85 |
| Jackson, TN | 2 | $720.90 | $720.90 |
| Tullahoma-Manchester, TN | 2 | $817.60 | $1,019.83 |
| Bolivar, TN | 1 | $720.90 | $720.90 |
| Camden, TN | 1 | $720.90 | $720.90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 1 | $477.23 | $477.23 |
| Cookeville, TN | 1 | $633.65 | $633.65 |
| Crossville, TN | 1 | $472.32 | $472.32 |
| Dayton, TN | 1 | $521.56 | $521.56 |
| Dyersburg, TN | 1 | $720.90 | $720.90 |
| Erin, TN | 1 | $351.73 | $351.73 |
| Greeneville, TN | 1 | $383.85 | $383.85 |
| Huntingdon, TN | 1 | $702.88 | $702.88 |
| Lawrenceburg, TN | 1 | $673.11 | $673.11 |
| Martin, TN | 1 | $720.90 | $720.90 |
| McMinnville, TN | 1 | $633.65 | $633.65 |
| Morristown, TN | 1 | $442.80 | $442.80 |
| Pikeville, TN | 1 | $1,913.47 | $1,913.47 |
| Pulaski, TN | 1 | $1,404.45 | $1,404.45 |
| Paris, TN | 1 | $1,280.00 | $1,280.00 |
| Savannah, TN | 1 | $313.24 | $313.24 |
| Smithville, TN | 1 | $633.65 | $633.65 |
| Sneedville, TN | 1 | $376.51 | $376.51 |
| Sevierville, TN | 1 | $428.04 | $428.04 |
| Shelbyville, TN | 1 | $1,222.06 | $1,222.06 |
| Tazewell, TN | 1 | $413.28 | $413.28 |
| Union City, TN | 1 | $170.60 | $170.60 |
| Winchester, TN | 1 | $789.55 | $789.55 |
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
- 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
- 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.