Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance
Medicare pricing data for 19,858 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 8.0x markup — hospitals charge $889.90 but Medicare allows only $111.10. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.0 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Aspiration of fluid from chest cavity using imaging guidance (HCPCS code 32555) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $111.10, but hospitals typically charge $889.90 — a 8.0x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $111.10, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $22.22. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 8.0x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $87.56 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $128 | $1,066 | 59 | 556 | +15.6% |
| Arkansas | $128 | $679 | 190 | 2,584 | +14.9% |
| Maryland | $126 | $655 | 302 | 5,299 | +13.0% |
| California | $121 | $979 | 1,903 | 23,465 | +9.0% |
| Washington | $121 | $634 | 482 | 5,034 | +8.9% |
| Massachusetts | $121 | $763 | 524 | 4,258 | +8.8% |
| New Mexico | $121 | $932 | 124 | 824 | +8.6% |
| District of Columbia | $120 | $653 | 70 | 698 | +7.8% |
| Iowa | $119 | $871 | 225 | 1,870 | +6.8% |
| Connecticut | $118 | $987 | 262 | 2,717 | +6.5% |
| Oregon | $118 | $678 | 354 | 2,128 | +6.5% |
| New York | $118 | $1,187 | 1,056 | 8,174 | +6.1% |
| Hawaii | $118 | $585 | 71 | 447 | +6.0% |
| Nebraska | $117 | $809 | 158 | 1,482 | +4.9% |
| Puerto Rico | $116 | $416 | 30 | 232 | +4.3% |
| Kansas | $114 | $601 | 231 | 1,662 | +2.8% |
| Illinois | $114 | $1,062 | 783 | 8,616 | +2.4% |
| Nevada | $114 | $1,170 | 201 | 2,132 | +2.3% |
| New Jersey | $114 | $827 | 424 | 5,287 | +2.2% |
| Tennessee | $112 | $985 | 436 | 4,168 | +1.1% |
| Florida | $112 | $913 | 1,295 | 18,587 | +1.1% |
| Virginia | $111 | $628 | 537 | 6,165 | +0.2% |
| Texas | $110 | $1,161 | 1,365 | 14,081 | -0.6% |
| Arizona | $108 | $1,346 | 386 | 5,778 | -2.6% |
| Utah | $108 | $468 | 197 | 1,583 | -3.0% |
| Wyoming | $108 | $1,047 | 37 | 521 | -3.1% |
| Colorado | $107 | $601 | 376 | 2,574 | -3.5% |
| Rhode Island | $106 | $767 | 82 | 808 | -4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $106 | $637 | 824 | 10,523 | -4.5% |
| New Hampshire | $106 | $805 | 102 | 970 | -4.5% |
| Minnesota | $106 | $842 | 497 | 4,214 | -4.6% |
| Missouri | $106 | $741 | 427 | 5,054 | -5.0% |
| Michigan | $105 | $491 | 724 | 7,050 | -5.4% |
| Vermont | $105 | $1,302 | 57 | 398 | -5.8% |
| Montana | $105 | $499 | 85 | 828 | -5.9% |
| North Dakota | $104 | $1,352 | 37 | 1,052 | -6.2% |
| Georgia | $104 | $859 | 546 | 4,568 | -6.8% |
| Indiana | $103 | $825 | 433 | 4,618 | -7.4% |
| North Carolina | $103 | $924 | 677 | 6,655 | -7.6% |
| Alabama | $103 | $699 | 274 | 2,616 | -7.7% |
| Ohio | $102 | $849 | 753 | 6,597 | -7.8% |
| South Carolina | $102 | $721 | 335 | 3,282 | -8.3% |
| Maine | $102 | $563 | 102 | 478 | -8.4% |
| West Virginia | $102 | $495 | 138 | 1,161 | -8.4% |
| Louisiana | $101 | $1,144 | 257 | 2,285 | -8.7% |
| Delaware | $101 | $404 | 49 | 967 | -8.7% |
| Mississippi | $101 | $1,790 | 183 | 2,098 | -9.1% |
| South Dakota | $101 | $728 | 64 | 1,084 | -9.2% |
| Wisconsin | $100 | $1,511 | 479 | 4,024 | -10.1% |
| Oklahoma | $99 | $643 | 205 | 3,018 | -11.0% |
| Kentucky | $97 | $589 | 280 | 2,756 | -12.4% |
| Idaho | $94 | $771 | 119 | 1,459 | -15.1% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber