Price Checker / CPT 50432
How much does Placement Nephrostomy Catheter cost?
CPT 50432 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is about 2.1x the fair price. You have grounds to ask for a reduction.
Fair price
$3,250–$3,800
What this should cost
With insurance
~$101,000
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$4,750
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $7,346 is $3,796 over the fair price (about 2.1x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Placement Nephrostomy Catheter
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center Hartsville, SC | $10,108 | — | 1070% |
| Kindred Hospital Clear Lake Webster, TX | $7,975 | — | 823% |
| East Morgan County Hospital Brush, CO | $5,745 | — | 545% |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX | $5,554 | — | 543% |
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 Placement Nephrostomy Catheter
CPT code 50432 refers to placement nephrostomy catheter (billing description: "Plmt nephrostomy catheter"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $178 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $864 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.