From 2012, CPT code for chest drainage with a catheter (32551) was changed to an open procedure designation. . Code 32556 or 32557 are used for percutaneous placement of an indwelling pleural drainage tube. Codes 32555 and 32557 include the imaging guidance (fluoroscopic, ultrasound, CT, or MRI).
What is the CPT code for ultrasound guided thoracentesis?
The new codes require that you report the procedure based on whether it is performed with imaging guidance. Report 32554 when imaging guidance is not used; and report 32555 when the thoracentesis is performed with imaging guidance.
How do you bill a thoracentesis?
Thoracentesis (CPT 32000 and 32002).
CPT gives us two codes for thoracentesis: CPT 32000 refers to thoracentesis, puncture of pleural cavity for aspiration, either as an initial or subsequent episode. CPT 32002 refers to thoracentesis with insertion of tube with or without water seal for pneumothorax.
How do you bill for a bronchoscopy?
Answer: Initial therapeutic bronchoscopy is the first procedure during any hospitalization and is reported with CPT code 31645. A subsequent therapeutic bronchoscopy, later the same day or another day, but during the same hospitalization, is defined as subsequent and is reported with CPT code 31646.
