Lungs and Pleura Incision, 32001 (Q&A) (March 1999)

March 1999 page 11a Coding Consultation Lungs and Pleura Incision, 32001 (Q&A) Question Does code 32001 , Total lung lavage (unilateral), describe an incision made into the pleural cavity? AMA Comment CPT code 32001 does not involve an incision or puncture of the pleural cavity. The code appears in the incision subcategory within the lungs and pleura section of CPT to avoid the erroneous assumption that code 32001 requires the use of a bronchoscope, and to eliminate confusion with the bronchial lavage procedure that requires the use of a bronchoscope ( 31624 ). Lungs and Pleura Incision, 32001 (Q&...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This article explains a March 1999 AMA/CPT coding consultation about a lung and pleura procedure and why the code’s location in the CPT manual can be misunderstood. It is relevant to coders who work with CPT surgery codes and need a quick reference to the article’s focus, discussion format, and related procedural context.

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers identify whether the article is addressing a specific CPT coding question about a lung and pleura procedure and a related bronchoscopy-associated service. The piece is useful for anyone reviewing historical CPT guidance, especially when searching for clarification on code placement and procedure family relationships.

Article Sections

  1. Coding Consultation

    Introduces the question-and-answer format used to address a CPT coding inquiry about a lung and pleura procedure.

  2. Question

    Presents the coding question that frames the article’s discussion of the procedure and its anatomic context.

  3. AMA Comment

    Summarizes the AMA’s response and the surrounding CPT context discussed in the consultation.

What You Will Learn

  • The article’s scope as a CPT coding consultation
  • How the topic is framed within the lungs and pleura section of CPT
  • The general context of a related bronchoscopy-associated procedure
  • Why code placement in the CPT manual can matter for interpretation

Who Should Read This

  • CPT coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Physician practice coding staff
  • Health information management professionals
  • Medical billing professionals

Codes Discussed


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