Price Checker / CPT 51100
How much does Drain Bladder By Needle cost?
CPT 51100 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 53x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$110–$220
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,350
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$280
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $9,017 is $8,847 over the fair price (about 53x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Drain Bladder By Needle
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stonewall Jackson Hospital , WV | $19,031 | $9,515 | 25451% |
| "Cohen Children's Medical Center" , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Glen Cove Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Huntington Hospital PASADENA, NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Lenox Hill Hospital NEW YORK, NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Long Island Jewish Forest Hills , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Long Island Jewish Medical Center NEW HYDE PARK, NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Long Island Jewish Valley Stream , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| North Shore University Hospital MANHASSET, NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Plainview Hospital PLAINVIEW, NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| South Shore University Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Staten Island University Hospital STATEN ISLAND, NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Syosset Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Zucker Hillside Hospital , NY | — | $4,595 | 11786% |
| Stephens County Hospital TOCCOA, GA | $1,137 | $682 | 1426% |
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 Drain Bladder By Needle
CPT code 51100 refers to drain bladder by needle (billing description: "Drain bladder by needle"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $34 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $74 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.