Updated March 2026
Thoracentesis in Des Moines typically costs between $248 and $2,526, with a median of $979 across 13 hospitals. ProcedureRadar sources this data from federally mandated Machine-Readable Files (45 CFR Part 180). Prices vary by facility type, included services, and case complexity.
The price range across 13 hospitals. A narrow range means prices are consistent; a wide range means they vary significantly.
Cheapest in Des Moines
Before You Schedule
These prices are a starting point for your research, not a final quote. We recommend calling the hospital's billing department with your insurance information for a personalized estimate. Knowing the typical price range puts you in a stronger position to ask the right questions.
The same outpatient procedure can cost several times more at one hospital than another in the same metro, based on cash-discount prices across our dataset. In some cases the spread is 8x or wider, and at the top of the distribution the gap can be far more extreme. We track this across more than 1,100 procedure-and-metro combinations so you can see where the spread is widest before you book.
Sorted by cheapest first. Select any hospital to see full pricing and contact info.
| Compare | Hospital | Median Price | Range | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Municipal Hospital | $248 | $118 to $293 | Low | View File | |
| Buena Vista Regional Medical Center | $516 | $274 to $742 | Low | View File | |
| Greene County Medical Center | $528 | $210 to $754 | Low | View File | |
| Guttenberg Municipal Hospital | $586 | $198 to $820 | Low | View File | |
| Burgess Health Center | $702 | $389 to $1,831 | Low | View File | |
| Stewart Memorial Community Hospital | $871 | $551 to $1,116 | Low | View File | |
| Lucas County Health Center | $979 | $942 to $1,015 | Low | View File | |
| Grundy County Memorial Hospital | $1,148 | $887 to $1,276 | Low | View File | |
| Mahaska Health Partnership | $1,403 | $1,403 to $1,403 | Low | View File | |
| Chi Health - Mercy Corning | $1,418 | $835 to $1,904 | High | View File | |
| Chi Health Missouri Valley | $1,428 | $680 to $1,881 | High | View File | |
| Buchanan County Health Center | $1,594 | $1,594 to $1,594 | Low | View File | |
| Wayne County Hospital | $2,526 | $2,526 to $2,526 | Low | View File |
Before You Schedule
These prices are a starting point for your research, not a final quote. We recommend calling the hospital's billing department with your insurance information for a personalized estimate. Knowing the typical price range puts you in a stronger position to ask the right questions.
Call HospitalCash pay prices for thoracentesis in the Des Moines metro area range from $248 to $2,526 based on data from 13 hospitals reporting under federal price transparency rules. The median price is $979. Prices vary based on the type of facility, whether additional services are included, and the complexity of your specific case.
If you're paying out of pocket, call the hospital's billing department and ask for their self-pay or cash discount rate. Many hospitals offer 30-60% discounts for upfront cash payment. You can also request a Good Faith Estimate, which hospitals are required to provide under the No Surprises Act.
Pricing data sourced from federally mandated hospital Machine-Readable Files.
Disclosure required by 45 CFR Part 180.
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