Drainage of fluid from chest cavity with insertion of indwelling tube using imaging guidance
Medicare pricing data for 8,095 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 8.8x markup — hospitals charge $1,268 but Medicare allows only $144.52. Uninsured patients may face bills 8.8 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
Drainage of fluid from chest cavity with insertion of indwelling tube using imaging guidance (HCPCS code 32557) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $144.52, but hospitals typically charge $1,268 — a 8.8x 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 $144.52, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $28.90. 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 8.8x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $114.48 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $180 | $1,748 | 25 | 66 | +24.3% |
| Texas | $172 | $1,610 | 527 | 2,155 | +19.0% |
| South Carolina | $167 | $1,168 | 119 | 483 | +15.8% |
| California | $158 | $1,533 | 714 | 2,871 | +9.1% |
| New York | $157 | $1,370 | 519 | 2,171 | +8.7% |
| Colorado | $151 | $864 | 175 | 552 | +4.7% |
| New Jersey | $148 | $1,198 | 217 | 1,095 | +2.7% |
| District of Columbia | $148 | $1,449 | 33 | 117 | +2.2% |
| Rhode Island | $146 | $984 | 41 | 129 | +1.2% |
| Maryland | $145 | $854 | 149 | 544 | +0.5% |
| North Dakota | $145 | $2,210 | 23 | 176 | +0.5% |
| Connecticut | $145 | $1,480 | 111 | 359 | +0.3% |
| Florida | $144 | $1,397 | 582 | 2,406 | -0.0% |
| Montana | $144 | $818 | 31 | 132 | -0.1% |
| Hawaii | $143 | $750 | 25 | 66 | -1.1% |
| Delaware | $143 | $756 | 27 | 126 | -1.2% |
| Illinois | $142 | $1,362 | 303 | 1,363 | -1.8% |
| Massachusetts | $141 | $1,049 | 224 | 860 | -2.3% |
| Nevada | $141 | $1,939 | 63 | 299 | -2.4% |
| Pennsylvania | $141 | $1,035 | 423 | 1,874 | -2.5% |
| Washington | $140 | $651 | 151 | 756 | -3.3% |
| New Hampshire | $140 | $1,675 | 37 | 230 | -3.4% |
| Michigan | $138 | $763 | 243 | 877 | -4.2% |
| Puerto Rico | $137 | $665 | 11 | 42 | -5.0% |
| Louisiana | $137 | $1,431 | 90 | 260 | -5.4% |
| New Mexico | $136 | $1,061 | 43 | 139 | -5.6% |
| Tennessee | $136 | $1,162 | 194 | 662 | -5.7% |
| Minnesota | $136 | $1,322 | 180 | 747 | -5.8% |
| Vermont | $136 | $2,549 | 14 | 70 | -6.0% |
| Ohio | $135 | $1,128 | 355 | 1,092 | -6.5% |
| Oregon | $135 | $673 | 103 | 311 | -6.8% |
| Virginia | $135 | $912 | 234 | 991 | -6.9% |
| Alabama | $134 | $1,165 | 90 | 330 | -6.9% |
| Maine | $134 | $668 | 48 | 106 | -7.1% |
| Missouri | $134 | $1,105 | 170 | 813 | -7.2% |
| Idaho | $134 | $1,007 | 43 | 213 | -7.4% |
| Arizona | $134 | $1,783 | 153 | 754 | -7.5% |
| North Carolina | $133 | $1,534 | 269 | 881 | -7.9% |
| Kentucky | $133 | $955 | 103 | 521 | -8.1% |
| Utah | $132 | $860 | 68 | 239 | -8.4% |
| Kansas | $132 | $645 | 64 | 303 | -8.6% |
| Georgia | $131 | $1,177 | 201 | 643 | -9.2% |
| Indiana | $131 | $1,192 | 170 | 731 | -9.7% |
| South Dakota | $131 | $1,204 | 24 | 216 | -9.7% |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $2,303 | 184 | 702 | -9.8% |
| West Virginia | $129 | $675 | 57 | 299 | -10.6% |
| Nebraska | $129 | $1,167 | 61 | 293 | -10.7% |
| Wyoming | $129 | $1,511 | 14 | 43 | -10.8% |
| Iowa | $128 | $1,497 | 73 | 320 | -11.5% |
| Oklahoma | $126 | $890 | 99 | 423 | -12.5% |
| Mississippi | $126 | $1,469 | 86 | 347 | -12.5% |
| Arkansas | $125 | $948 | 74 | 404 | -13.4% |
⚠️ 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