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Chest Tube Insertion For Drainage

California rates for HCPCS 32551

Places a tube through the chest wall into the space around the lung to drain air, blood, pus or other fluid. The tube is put in through a small open incision and connected to a collection and suction system that keeps the space empty while it heals. It is used for a collapsed lung or a build-up of fluid pressing on the lung.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Chest Tube Insertion For Drainage cost?

$4,365

Typical facility fee. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $4,365 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $2,818 to $6,310.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 9 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,467 · 10th to 90th $1,862 to $13,490Professionalmedian $170 · 10th to 90th $132 to $363
$100.0$1.0K$10.0Kfacility $4,467professional $170

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,041.74
Median
$6,025.60
Typical High
$17,782.79
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$5,248.07
Median
$6,025.60
Typical High
$6,025.60
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$2,511.89
Median
$4,466.84
Typical High
$12,882.50
Blue Shield
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$3,162.28
Typical High
$6,456.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$158.49
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$204.17
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$371.54
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$3,630.78
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$354.81
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$3,019.95
Typical High
$7,943.28

Where California sits

The same service costs 40.7 times more in Indiana than in Delaware. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

California $4,365 · 5th of 51
IN $6,166DE $151

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.