Price Checker / CPT 32609
How much does Thoracoscopy W/bx Pleura cost?
CPT 32609 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 62x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$360–$720
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,800
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$900
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $33,508 is $32,968 over the fair price (about 62x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Thoracoscopy W/bx Pleura
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southlake Specialty Hospital LLC Southlake, TX | — | — | 16813% |
| St. Anne Hospital , WA | — | — | 11049% |
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 Thoracoscopy W/bx Pleura
CPT code 32609 refers to thoracoscopy w/bx pleura (billing description: "Thoracoscopy w/bx pleura"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $239 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $239 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.