CPT^® 32551, Under Introduction and Removal Procedures on the Lungs and Pleura

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 32551 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Introduction and Removal Procedures on the Lungs and Pleura.

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Summary

The provider uses an open cutdown incision to insert a plastic tube into the chest cavity to remove fluids and/or air from the chest cavity.

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Postprocedural Status Diagnosis

Good Morning: If I am reading your question correctly, I would have 1 question and 1 recommendation. 1. Is the postoperative chest x-ray being performed only to "confirm placement" of the pacemaker ... [ Read More ]

Imperforate Anus; Malrotation

[I][B]I could sure use some advice in coding this surgery. So far, I feel I should use:[/B] [B]44345 -63 ... [ Read More ]

AV /MV With evacuation PE PLEASE HELP

Hello I see you posted this a while ago, but if you are still looking for guidance, I would not report the chest tube on the left during this procedure. The NCCI policy Manual Chapter 5 gives a guide... [ Read More ]

New Coder needing help with VATS

oh my! you know when I first saw this I was like okay easy, but after reading few times I think I started to overthink it! Nerve block and lysis of adhesions I always consider inclusive. The thoracos... [ Read More ]

Critical Care + Chest Tube Placement chest tube critical care modifier 25 modifier lt/rt

Hello, Friends! I've searched online and I can't find CURRENT advise re: the following scenario Provider performed critical care services for a patient for 90 minutes (99291 + 99292) and also perfor... [ Read More ]

I need help coding this procedure

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I originally coded as 32098, 32035 and 32551, I only got paid for the 32035 thank you [ATTACH type="full" alt="4051"]4051[/ATTACH]... [ Read More ]

help coding thoractomy

It may be helpful if you posted the body of the operative report without patient information which would allow myself or someone else to confirm that the 32035 is supported. I don't actually see anyth... [ Read More ]

help coding thoractomy

posterolateral thoracoctomy tube thoracostomy with water seal right angled basilar during open thoractomy single straight posterior placement during open thoracotomy I coded 32098-22, 32035-59 and 325... [ Read More ]

Insertion of Chest Tube

Good morning Your note is pretty brief and the exact approach to placing the chest tube is not directly stated. Given the mention of the tube being placed under ultrasound guidance, I would conclude... [ Read More ]

Insertion of Chest Tube chest tube insertion chest tube

Hello, I am not sure how to code the insertion of a chest tube. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Please note: Patient had an excisional biopsy of the caudate lobe in addition to insertion of a... [ Read More ]

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