HCHG CT THORACENTESIS PLEURAL ASPIRATION in California
Below is what hospitals in California charge if you pay cash, and the typical rate insurers negotiated.
Cash prices at 68 hospitals in California run from $25 to $7,178. The typical hospital charges $2,262. Where a hospital sits on this scale matters more than the number alone:
typical: $2,262
Cheaper than most hospitalsPricier than most hospitals
74 hospitals. Sort by: Cash price ▲ · Negotiated median · Gross charge · Negotiated low
What these numbers mean.
Cash price is what the hospital lists for patients paying out of pocket.
Negotiated median is the middle of what insurance companies actually agreed to pay.
Gross charge is the sticker price — almost nobody pays it.
What you will actually pay is usually different from both numbers:
with insurance, your deductible, copay, or coinsurance decides what you owe —
the negotiated rate is what the insurer pays, not your bill.
A single line item may not be the whole cost: physician, anesthesia, pathology,
and facility fees can be billed separately.
Prices vary by hospital and change over time; always confirm with the hospital before you go.
| Hospital | Cash price | Where it sits | Insurance pays (typical) | Gross charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventist Health Lodi Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $25Insurance typically pays $123Sticker price $364 | Lowest price of any hospital | $123 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Sonora CA · Price file May 23, 2026 | $62Insurance typically pays $314Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 99% of hospitals | $314 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Hanford CA · Price file August 1, 2026 | $69Insurance typically pays $807Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $807 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Reedley CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $69Insurance typically pays $125Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $125 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Tulare CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $69Insurance typically pays $147Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $147 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Ukiah Valley CA · Price file May 24, 2026 | $73Insurance typically pays $141Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 93% of hospitals | $141 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $98Insurance typically pays $130Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 91% of hospitals | $130 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Howard Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $109Insurance typically pays $135Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 90% of hospitals | $135 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Bakersfield CA · Price file October 5, 2026 | $116Insurance typically pays $807Sticker price $775 | Cheaper than 88% of hospitals | $807 | $775 |
| Providence Queen Of The Valley Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $152Insurance typically pays $1,010Sticker price $217 | Cheaper than 87% of hospitals | $1,010 | $217 |
| Adventist Health St Helena CA | $177Insurance typically pays $826Sticker price $1,183 | Cheaper than 85% of hospitals | $826 | $1,183 |
| Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura Ventura, CA · Price file June 15, 2026 | $238Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $594 | Cheaper than 84% of hospitals | — | $594 |
| Adventist Health Mendocino Coast CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $240Insurance typically pays $364Sticker price $364 | Cheaper than 82% of hospitals | $364 | $364 |
| Adventist Health Delano CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $245Insurance typically pays $807Sticker price $1,225 | Cheaper than 81% of hospitals | $807 | $1,225 |
| Natividad Medical Center CA · Price file August 14, 2026 | $355Insurance typically pays $114Sticker price $355 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $114 | $355 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $499Insurance typically pays $807Sticker price $2,406 | Cheaper than 78% of hospitals | $807 | $2,406 |
| Providence St. Jude Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $632Insurance typically pays $2,080Sticker price $1,317 | Cheaper than 76% of hospitals | $2,080 | $1,317 |
| Glendale Adventist Medical Center CA · Price file July 30, 2026 | $739Insurance typically pays $930Sticker price $4,928 | Cheaper than 75% of hospitals | $930 | $4,928 |
| University Of California Irvine Medical Center CA · Price file July 1, 2024 | $775Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,584 | Cheaper than 73% of hospitals | — | $2,584 |
| Redlands Community Hospital CA · Price file June 19, 2026 | $824Insurance typically pays $1,030Sticker price $3,434 | Cheaper than 72% of hospitals | $1,030 | $3,434 |
| Providence Little Company Of Mary Med Ctr Torrance CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $834Insurance typically pays $1,774Sticker price $2,383 | Cheaper than 70% of hospitals | $1,774 | $2,383 |
| Providence Little Co Of Mary Med Ctr San Pedro CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $834Insurance typically pays $1,772Sticker price $2,383 | Cheaper than 70% of hospitals | $1,772 | $2,383 |
| Adventist Health Simi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $922Insurance typically pays $3,466Sticker price $5,760 | Cheaper than 67% of hospitals | $3,466 | $5,760 |
| Adventist Health And Rideout CA · Price file July 6, 2026 | $973Insurance typically pays $3,126Sticker price $4,421 | Cheaper than 66% of hospitals | $3,126 | $4,421 |
| White Memorial Medical Center CA | $1,020Insurance typically pays $1,049Sticker price $5,668 | Cheaper than 64% of hospitals | $1,049 | $5,668 |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital CA · Price file September 28, 2026 | $1,082Insurance typically pays $517Sticker price $1,082 | Cheaper than 63% of hospitals | $517 | $1,082 |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $1,083Insurance typically pays $1,632Sticker price $7,120 | Cheaper than 61% of hospitals | $1,632 | $7,120 |
| El Camino Health Mountain View, CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $1,149Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $4,595 | Cheaper than 60% of hospitals | — | $4,595 |
| Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital CA · Price file November 3, 2026 | $1,200Insurance typically pays $847Sticker price $2,400 | Cheaper than 58% of hospitals | $847 | $2,400 |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $1,247Insurance typically pays $1,727Sticker price $3,562 | Cheaper than 57% of hospitals | $1,727 | $3,562 |
| Adventist Health Clearlake CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $1,375Insurance typically pays $3,216Sticker price $3,820 | Cheaper than 55% of hospitals | $3,216 | $3,820 |
| Orchard Hospital CA · Price file October 23, 2026 | $1,420Insurance typically pays $112Sticker price $2,367 | Cheaper than 54% of hospitals | $112 | $2,367 |
| Providence St. Joseph Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $1,685Insurance typically pays $2,322Sticker price $3,510 | Cheaper than 52% of hospitals | $2,322 | $3,510 |
| Kaweah Health Medical Center CA · Price file July 14, 2026 | $1,774Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,774 | Cheaper than 51% of hospitals | — | $1,774 |
| George L Mee Memorial Hospital CA · Price file October 28, 2026 | $2,751Insurance typically pays $2,934Sticker price $3,668 | Pricier than 51% of hospitals | $2,934 | $3,668 |
| Stanford Health Care CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,943Insurance typically pays $688Sticker price $5,886 | Pricier than 52% of hospitals | $688 | $5,886 |
| Providence Mission Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,950Insurance typically pays $2,047Sticker price $6,146 | Pricier than 54% of hospitals | $2,047 | $6,146 |
| Sutter Coast Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,017Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,017 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | — | $3,017 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Medical Center Sacramento CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Center For Psychiatry CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Memorial Hospital Los Banos CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Davis Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Memorial Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Solano Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Amador Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Sutter Tracy Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,570 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | — | $3,570 |
| Chinese Hospital CA · Price file July 22, 2026 | $3,713Insurance typically pays $957Sticker price $3,713 | Pricier than 72% of hospitals | $957 | $3,713 |
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness Campus CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Sutter Delta Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Sutter Lakeside Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Mills-peninsula Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Eden Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Sutter Maternity Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| California Pacific Medical Ctr-davies Campus Hosp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Novato Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,790Insurance typically pays $892Sticker price $3,790 | Pricier than 73% of hospitals | $892 | $3,790 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center CA · Price file November 26, 2025 | $4,100Insurance typically pays $10,495Sticker price $6,307 | Pricier than 91% of hospitals | $10,495 | $6,307 |
| Sonoma Valley Hospital CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $4,280Insurance typically pays $4,280Sticker price $6,115 | Pricier than 93% of hospitals | $4,280 | $6,115 |
| Emanate Health Inter-community Hospital CA | $4,892Insurance typically pays $2,299Sticker price $4,892 | Pricier than 94% of hospitals | $2,299 | $4,892 |
| Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital CA | $4,892Insurance typically pays $2,299Sticker price $4,892 | Pricier than 94% of hospitals | $2,299 | $4,892 |
| Emanate Health Queen Of The Valley Hospital CA | $4,892Insurance typically pays $2,299Sticker price $4,892 | Pricier than 94% of hospitals | $2,299 | $4,892 |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,160Insurance typically pays $4,473Sticker price $6,616 | Pricier than 99% of hospitals | $4,473 | $6,616 |
| Marinhealth Medical Center Greenbrae, CA | $7,178Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $11,964 | Highest price of any hospital | — | $11,964 |
| West Hills Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $3,353Sticker price — | — | $3,353 | — |
| Good Samaritan Hospital CA | —Insurance typically pays $3,101Sticker price — | — | $3,101 | — |
| Corona Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,768 | — | — | $3,768 |
| Los Robles Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $4,499Sticker price — | — | $4,499 | — |
| Palmdale Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $5,514 | — | — | $5,514 |
| Southwest Healthcare System-wildomar CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $4,565 | — | — | $4,565 |
Procedure code 32555. Prices are from each hospital's own published price file — see methodology.