Price Checker / CPT 32960
How much does Therapeutic Pneumothorax cost?
CPT 32960 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 24x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$650–$770
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,450
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$960
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $17,205 is $16,495 over the fair price (about 24x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Therapeutic Pneumothorax
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center SANTA FE, NM | — | — | 16748% |
| Benson Hospital BENSON, AZ | — | — | 8679% |
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 Therapeutic Pneumothorax
CPT code 32960 refers to therapeutic pneumothorax (billing description: "Therapeutic pneumothorax"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $82 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $134 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.