Price Checker / CPT 32400
How much does Needle Biopsy Chest Lining cost?
CPT 32400 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 12x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$250–$500
What this should cost
With insurance
~$128,900
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$630
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $4,371 is $3,991 over the fair price (about 12x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Needle Biopsy Chest Lining
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Magee , PA | $5,933 | $4,746 | 3467% |
| Franklin Medical Center WINNSBORO, LA | $3,768 | $2,261 | 2165% |
| Marshfield Medical Center River Region Hospital STEVENS POINT, WI | $3,411 | $3,240 | 1951% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Needle Biopsy Chest Lining
CPT code 32400 refers to needle biopsy chest lining (billing description: "Needle biopsy chest lining"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $72 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $166 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.