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Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Expect To Profit Over $1k For 32652

Published on Mon Apr 18, 2011

Question:What is the CPT code for total pulmonary decortication?California SubscriberAnswer:It's 32652 (Thoracoscopy, surgical; with total pulmonary decortication, including intrapleural pneumonolysis). You should get about $1,699.50 in reimbursement when you bill 32652 in the nonfacility setting (50.02 RVUs multiplied by the 2011 conversion factor of 33.9764).Background: Decortication is a procedure involving the removal of the outer surface layer, membrane or fibrous cover of the lung under general anesthesia by thorascopy. The surgery aims to re-expand the lung and fix the problems affecting the pleural space to improve lung function. Decortication may be necessary to help patients with pleurisy (511.0, Pleurisy without effusion or current tuberculosis), empyema (510.9, Empyema without fistula), fibrothorax (511.0), and mesothelioma (163.9, Malignant neoplasm of pleura unspecified). 
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