Please note this question was answered in 2014. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.
Drainage of previously placed pleural catheter
Date: Nov 23, 2014
Question:
Hi! One outpatient department performs this procedure. The patient comes in with a previously placed pleural catheter. The catheter is attached to a drainage system to drain fluid. Since the catheter was already in place, it does not seem appropriate to report CPT code 32556. Should the hospital report a low level E/M code or 32556 with a 52 modifier? Thanks in advance!
Need to ask Dr.Z?
Don't see the answer you're looking for in the knowledge base? No problem. You can ask Dr. Z directly!Ask Dr. Z a question now!