AMA CPT® Assistant - 2012 Issue 11 (November)
Thoracostomy (32551) and Thoracentesis/Pleural Fluid Procedures (32554-32557) (November 2012)
November 2012 pages 3-5 Thoracostomy (32551) and Thoracentesis/Pleural Fluid Procedures (32554-32557) For CPT 2013, the Respiratory System section of the CPT code set contains revised thoracentesis codes, new percutaneous catheter and chest tube codes, and clarification of the open surgical chest tube placement code to better explain the procedural approaches. During the Relative Value Scale Update Committee's (RUC's) Five-Year Review when the Joint CPT/RUC Workgroup screened codes frequently reported together, it was noted that ultrasound guidance code 76942, Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation, was performed in conjunction with the...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article covers CPT 2013 changes affecting thoracostomy and pleural fluid procedure coding, with emphasis on how the revised code family is organized and how related imaging guidance and modifiers are addressed. It is useful for coders, billing staff, and clinicians who document or report respiratory, thoracic, or pleural drainage services. The discussion focuses on code revisions, deleted references, procedural distinctions, and reporting guidance tied to the updated CPT structure.
Why This Topic Matters
These updates affect how common chest and pleural drainage procedures are classified and reported, so accurate awareness helps support consistent CPT reporting and reduce confusion between open and percutaneous approaches.
Article Sections
-
November 2012 pages 3-5
Introductory publication information for the article.
-
Thoracostomy (32551) and Thoracentesis/Pleural Fluid Procedures (32554-32557)
Overview of the CPT 2013 revisions affecting thoracic drainage and pleural fluid procedure coding, including the rationale for restructuring the code family.
-
Coding Tip
General coding guidance related to the open thoracostomy procedure and associated reporting considerations.
-
Coding Tip
Additional guidance on imaging and related procedural reporting for open chest tube placement.
-
Clinical Example (32551)
A clinical scenario illustrating the type of open thoracostomy service discussed in the article.
-
Percutaneous Pleural Fluid Aspiration and Drainage (32554-32557)
Discussion of the revised percutaneous pleural fluid aspiration and drainage code family and related reporting notes.
-
Coding Tip
Guidance on tunneled pleural catheter insertion, removal concepts, and related reporting distinctions.
-
Use of Modifier with Codes 32551 and 32554-32557
Discussion of modifier use for bilateral and multiple procedures involving the thoracostomy and thoracentesis code family.
-
Table 1. Procedural Distinctions (32551, 32554-32557)
A comparative table summarizing the procedural approaches and service categories for the related CPT codes.
What You Will Learn
- How the CPT 2013 thoracostomy and pleural fluid procedure code family was reorganized
- What general procedural distinctions the article emphasizes among related chest drainage services
- Which types of related imaging and sedation topics are discussed in connection with these procedures
- How modifier use is addressed for the procedure family
- What comparative procedural information is summarized in the article's table
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Thoracic and respiratory clinical documentation staff
- Physicians and advanced practice providers who document pleural procedures
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com
