Removal of fluid from between lung and chest cavity
Medicare pricing data for 15,795 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 5.1x markup — hospitals charge $741.26 but Medicare allows only $145.88. Uninsured patients may face bills 5.1 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
Removal of fluid from between lung and chest cavity (HCPCS code 32551) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $145.88, but hospitals typically charge $741.26 — a 5.1x 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 $145.88, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $29.18. 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 5.1x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $115.45 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $172 | $1,467 | 38 | 64 | +18.2% |
| New York | $163 | $977 | 883 | 1,466 | +11.7% |
| New Jersey | $161 | $823 | 359 | 672 | +10.3% |
| District of Columbia | $158 | $645 | 79 | 136 | +8.4% |
| Illinois | $155 | $966 | 593 | 914 | +6.1% |
| Connecticut | $153 | $816 | 166 | 281 | +5.1% |
| Florida | $153 | $756 | 1,136 | 1,878 | +5.0% |
| Nevada | $153 | $670 | 143 | 249 | +4.6% |
| Rhode Island | $152 | $843 | 56 | 77 | +4.3% |
| California | $150 | $718 | 1,295 | 2,363 | +3.0% |
| Massachusetts | $149 | $660 | 381 | 624 | +2.2% |
| Maryland | $148 | $686 | 281 | 547 | +1.3% |
| Hawaii | $147 | $541 | 54 | 79 | +1.1% |
| Michigan | $147 | $669 | 571 | 821 | +0.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $147 | $668 | 728 | 1,122 | +0.8% |
| New Hampshire | $147 | $935 | 100 | 135 | +0.6% |
| Montana | $146 | $610 | 66 | 104 | +0.4% |
| Colorado | $146 | $713 | 289 | 434 | +0.3% |
| Louisiana | $146 | $920 | 230 | 341 | +0.1% |
| Wyoming | $146 | $861 | 26 | 35 | +0.1% |
| New Mexico | $145 | $671 | 98 | 163 | -0.3% |
| Virginia | $145 | $622 | 436 | 762 | -0.4% |
| Washington | $145 | $675 | 325 | 467 | -0.4% |
| Vermont | $144 | $776 | 52 | 78 | -1.4% |
| Georgia | $143 | $707 | 455 | 718 | -1.7% |
| Utah | $143 | $615 | 114 | 176 | -1.8% |
| Texas | $143 | $763 | 1,107 | 1,944 | -2.0% |
| Ohio | $143 | $676 | 653 | 1,016 | -2.1% |
| West Virginia | $143 | $658 | 148 | 220 | -2.1% |
| Delaware | $142 | $709 | 65 | 124 | -2.4% |
| Missouri | $142 | $625 | 436 | 755 | -2.4% |
| Oregon | $142 | $608 | 185 | 241 | -2.5% |
| Puerto Rico | $142 | $536 | 17 | 19 | -2.9% |
| Maine | $141 | $680 | 70 | 106 | -3.0% |
| Arizona | $140 | $656 | 295 | 471 | -3.7% |
| Alabama | $140 | $681 | 257 | 476 | -3.7% |
| North Carolina | $140 | $707 | 508 | 749 | -3.8% |
| Kentucky | $139 | $640 | 307 | 572 | -4.6% |
| Mississippi | $139 | $818 | 183 | 343 | -4.8% |
| South Carolina | $139 | $749 | 337 | 577 | -4.8% |
| Oklahoma | $139 | $672 | 229 | 436 | -4.9% |
| North Dakota | $139 | $644 | 41 | 60 | -5.0% |
| Idaho | $137 | $623 | 63 | 95 | -6.0% |
| South Dakota | $137 | $581 | 50 | 76 | -6.2% |
| Kansas | $136 | $628 | 145 | 313 | -6.6% |
| Arkansas | $136 | $596 | 200 | 476 | -6.6% |
| Minnesota | $136 | $858 | 278 | 375 | -6.8% |
| Iowa | $136 | $610 | 147 | 282 | -7.1% |
| Tennessee | $135 | $720 | 361 | 674 | -7.2% |
| Wisconsin | $135 | $1,447 | 248 | 372 | -7.3% |
| Indiana | $131 | $695 | 388 | 617 | -10.2% |
| Nebraska | $122 | $538 | 98 | 168 | -16.7% |
⚠️ 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