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Radiology Coding Alert

CPT® 2013:

32555 and 32557 Promise a Simpler Path to Pleural Aspiration and Drainage Coding

Published on Tue Oct 02, 2012

Catheter aspiration will have an obvious code choice. The preliminary list of CPT® 2013 code changes is out, and you may be glad to have some extra time to prepare. There are numerous changes affecting radiology, starting with new ways to report thoracentesis and pleural drainage. Keep in mind, these changes aren't yet final, so they may change before the codes become official this fall. Look at Lung Additions, Deletions, and Revisions, Too Coding for removing fluid from the chest cavity will look a little different in the New Year. Deleted: Expect CPT® 2013 to delete these codes: 32420, Pneumocentesis, puncture of lung for aspiration 32421, Thoracentesis, puncture of pleural cavity for aspiration, initial or subsequent 32422, Thoracentesis with insertion of tube, includes water seal (e.g., for pneumothorax), when performed (separate procedure). Added: In their place, you can expect to see four new codes. Pay particular attention to "with imaging [...]
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