Thoracentesis pleural space needle/catheter aspiration with imaging guidance (both sides) at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center

250 Mercy Drive, Dubuque, IA · MercyOne · · NPI 1659348506

Source: hospital's published price file ↗ · Published Mar 31, 2026 · Ingested Aug 3, 2026

$3,263.00

Cash price

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Discounted cash price

What a hospital charges a self-pay patient who pays directly, without going through insurance — usually well below the gross charge.

Example: A CT scan has a $3,200 gross charge but an $850 discounted cash price. Ask for it by name when scheduling — hospitals don't always advertise it up front.

Full explanation →

What you pay up front if you don't use insurance.

$5,020.00

Gross charge

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Gross charge (chargemaster price)

The hospital's full, undiscounted list price — pulled from its internal "chargemaster" price list. Almost no one actually pays this.

Example: A chest X-ray has a gross charge of $1,450. The same hospital's discounted cash price for the same X-ray is $180 — the gross charge mostly anchors negotiations, not what patients pay.

Full explanation →

The hospital's undiscounted list price — almost no one pays this.

$562.78 with IOWA TOTAL CARE vs $3,346.00 with IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH — same scan, same building. Share

Negotiated rates by payer
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Negotiated rate

The price a specific insurance plan agreed to pay the hospital for a service — it varies by insurer, and even by plan within the same insurer.

Example: The same knee MRI has a negotiated rate of $904 with one insurer's PPO plan and $1,509 with another's — identical hospital, identical scan.

Full explanation →

Payer
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Payer

The insurance company footing the bill — Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and so on.

Example: "Blue Cross Blue Shield" is the payer. Its negotiated rate for an MRI might be $904, while a different payer's negotiated rate for the same scan is $1,509.

Full explanation →
Plan
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Plan

The specific product an insurer sells — e.g. "Blue Cross PPO 500" — which sets your deductible, coinsurance and negotiated rates.

Example: Two people both insured by Aetna can owe very different amounts for the same MRI: $50 with an HMO plan's flat copay, or the full $1,200 toward a high-deductible PPO plan's unmet deductible.

Full explanation →
Negotiated rate vs. cash
IOWA TOTAL CARE IOWA TOTAL CARE MEDICAID $562.78 ↓ -83%
MOLINA MEDICAID MOLINA MEDICAID $568.30 ↓ -83%
WELLPOINT MEDICAID WELLPOINT MEDICAID $570.51 ↓ -83%
MEDIGOLD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MERCYONE HEALTH PLAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $611.11 ↓ -81%
MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $611.11 ↓ -81%
AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $611.11 ↓ -81%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLMARK MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $617.23 ↓ -81%
UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $623.34 ↓ -81%
HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE UNITYPOINT HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADV $629.82 ↓ -81%
WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $636.06 ↓ -81%
BLUE CROSS - ME (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
WC DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MN WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NE WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - OH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - FL WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - PA (INDEPENDENCE) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - WY WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - KY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - DE (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATORS OF MASSACHUSETTS WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - AR WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NM WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - ID WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - VT WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
KAISER DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE SHIELD - WA (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - IL WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - VA (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MD (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NV (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - OK WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - CT (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MS WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
PRE-EMPLOYMENT WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - LA WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - TX WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - SC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MI WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MT WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - RI WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - TN WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - FEDERAL WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - IL ALTERNATE WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CARE NETWORK WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - AZ WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - HI WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK NORTHEASTERN WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - GA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - VA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - UT (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE SHIELD - CA WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK HMO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - CA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - AK (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - WV (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE DISTINCTION TRANSPLANT WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - DC (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MA WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - WI (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - CO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - SD (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - OR (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NJ (HORIZON) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - PA (CAPITAL) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE SHIELD - ID (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - ND WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - KS WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - MO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - AL WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - WA (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK WESTERN WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - NY (EXCELLUS) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE CROSS - IN (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BLUE SHIELD - PA (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BCN DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
BCBS GENERIC WELLMARK PPO $640.89 ↓ -80%
AMISH HOSPITAL AID AMISH HOSPITAL AID $829.37 ↓ -75%
OSCAR OSCAR $850.70 ↓ -74%
CENTIVO CENTIVO $976.54 ↓ -70%
AMBETTER AMBETTER MARKETPLACE $1,047.62 ↓ -68%
PREFERRED HEALTH CHOICE PREFERRED HEALTH CHOICES $1,194.52 ↓ -63%
HEALTH CHOICES MEDICAL ASSOCIATES $1,224.64 ↓ -62%
NOVA CLAIMDOC $1,253.41 ↓ -62%
CLAIMDOC CLAIMDOC $1,253.41 ↓ -62%
MIDLANDS CHOICE MIDLANDS CHOICE EAGLE WINDOW AND DOOR $1,940.68 ↓ -41%
WPS WISCONSIN PHYSICIAN SERVICES $2,004.25 ↓ -39%
THE ALLIANCE THE ALLIANCE $2,021.32 ↓ -38%
MHNET MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES $2,676.80 ↓ -18%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UNITED HEALTHCARE DEERE PREMIER $2,777.18 ↓ -15%
FIRST HEALTH AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
AETNA EAP AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
MEDICAL MUTUAL AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
AETNA DOMESTIC AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
CHRISTIAN BROTHER SERVICES AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
AETNA AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
LUMINARE HEALTH AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
WEBTPA AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
ASR HEALTH BENEFITS AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
1199 NATIONAL BENEFIT FUND AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
LUCENT HEALTH AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
COVENTRY AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
ALLIED BENEFIT SYSTEMS AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
MERITAIN AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
TRUSTMARK SMALL BUSINESS BENEFITS AETNA $2,793.91 ↓ -14%
UNITY UNITY HMO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
MEDICA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
AUXIANT MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
CIGNA EAP MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
MIDLANDS CHOICE MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
MIDLANDS MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
CIGNA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
MULTIPLAN MULTIPLAN $3,011.40 ↓ -8%
STEPHENSON CTY HEALTH STEPHENSON COUNTY HEALTH $3,346.00 ↑ +3%
CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CRIME VICTIMS $3,346.00 ↑ +3%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UHC OPTUM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH $3,346.00 ↑ +3%
IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FOR YOURSELF $3,346.00 ↑ +3%

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Thoracentesis pleural space needle/catheter aspiration with imaging guidance (both sides) at other Iowa hospitals

Hospital City Cash price Negotiated range
UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital Dubuque $1,532.80 $98.09 – $917.71
MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center Davenport $1,047.60 $591.81 – $692.90
MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center New Hampton $1,748.50 $88.35 – $1,017.00
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center Clinton $1,898.00 $8.69 – $1,947.00
MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center West Des Moines $5,530.00 $8.69 – $3,687.00
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines $5,846.00 $8.69 – $3,687.00
MercyOne Centerville Medical Center Centerville $2,690.00 $492.00 – $1,793.00
MercyOne Newton Medical Center Newton $1,748.50 $593.78 – $1,793.00

All Iowa hospitals for this procedure →