AMA CPT® Assistant - 2012 Issue 9 (September)
Lungs and Pleura Procedures (September 2012)
September 2012 pages 3-8 Lungs and Pleura Procedures Extensive changes were made to the Respiratory System/Lungs and Pleura subsection in the CPT® 2012 code set. Before these changes, the Lungs and Pleura subsection contained a myriad of lung and pleural biopsy codes, which, over time, proved to be nonspecific and in some cases duplicative. This resulted in confusion for surgeons, coders, and payers. To remedy this, a thoroughly revised code structure was created, which delineated not only the surgical approach (eg, open thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery [VATS]), but also the intent of the procedure (eg, diagnostic versus therapeutic)...
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Article Overview
This article explains a major CPT 2012 restructuring of the Respiratory System/Lungs and Pleura subsection. It is relevant to surgeons, coders, and billers who need to understand how the updated code set organizes procedure approach, procedural intent, and target area, and how the accompanying notes and table map older codes to revised ones. The article also highlights thoracotomy and thoracoscopic guidance, lymphadenectomy updates, and selected clinical examples showing the scope of the changes.
Why This Topic Matters
The updated lung and pleura code structure changed how related procedures are organized and reported, so accurate interpretation affects code selection, claim consistency, and alignment with the revised CPT framework.
Article Sections
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September 2012 pages 3-8
A general introduction to the CPT 2012 updates for the Lungs and Pleura subsection and the reasons for the revision.
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Overview of Changes
A summary of the restructuring themes, including how the new framework is organized and how the article advises readers to use the accompanying notes and code table.
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Codes 32096, 32607
Discussion of a paired set of diagnostic biopsy codes and the broad circumstances they address.
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Codes 32097, 32608
Discussion of a second paired set of diagnostic biopsy codes focused on a different lung target category.
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Clinical Example (32097 or 32608)
A procedural scenario illustrating the type of clinical setting associated with the codes in the preceding section.
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Codes 32505, +32506, +32507, 32666, +32667, +32668
Explanation of therapeutic wedge resection codes, related add-on codes, and how the new structure distinguishes related procedural circumstances.
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Clinical Example (32505 and +32506, or 32666 and +32668)
A scenario demonstrating use of the therapeutic wedge resection code family in a multi-lesion setting.
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Clinical Example (+32507, +32668)
A scenario illustrating the relationship between a wedge resection and a more extensive procedure in the same operative setting.
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Codes 32669, 32670, 32671, 32672, 32673
Overview of thoracoscopic removal procedures and related parenthetical guidance covering associated procedure categories.
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Codes +38746, +32674
Discussion of thoracic lymphadenectomy add-on codes and the guidance associated with mediastinal and regional node reporting.
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Table 1. Deleted/New/Revised* Lungs and Pleura Procedure Codes in CPT 2012
A code-mapping table showing deleted, new, and revised lung and pleura procedure codes in the 2012 CPT update.
What You Will Learn
- How CPT 2012 reorganized the Lungs and Pleura subsection
- How the article distinguishes broad categories of lung and pleura procedures
- How the update is summarized through a deleted/new/revised code table
- What kinds of parenthetical notes are emphasized in the article
- How the article frames thoracotomy, thoracoscopy, and related procedural groupings
- How lymphadenectomy updates are presented in the CPT 2012 lung and pleura material
Who Should Read This
- Surgeons
- CPT coders
- Medical billers
- Coding educators
- Payer and reimbursement staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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