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Chest Tube Insertion For Drainage

Virginia 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?

$1,778

Typical facility fee. In Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,778 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $251 to $3,631.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,820 · 10th to 90th $178 to $6,918Professionalmedian $186 · 10th to 90th $138 to $363
$100.0$200.0$500.0$1.0K$2.0K$5.0K$10.0Kfacility $1,820professional $186

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. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$7,079.46
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$1,778.28
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$7,762.47
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,090.30
Median
$3,981.07
Typical High
$4,466.84
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$426.58
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$363.08
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$331.13
Sentara
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$3,311.31
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$2,089.30
Typical High
$3,981.07

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia $1,778 · 31st 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.