CPT code 32035 designates a surgical thoracostomy with excision of a rib to remove empyema from the pleural cavity. This is an important code for thoracic surgery and inpatient procedural billing because it captures a definitive surgical approach to complicated pleural infections that are not amenable to less invasive drainage. Nationally, accurate use of this code affects inpatient surgical case mix, resource allocation, and payment for complex thoracic care.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical framing of the procedure, typical sites of service, and the service type. The publication also summarizes payer coverage patterns and common modifiers where available, highlights coding and billing considerations relevant to hospital and surgical providers, and situates the code within clinical care pathways for empyema.

The report is intended to inform revenue cycle professionals, coding auditors, and clinical leaders about the clinical intent of CPT code 32035, common billing practices, and areas where policy updates or documentation clarity can affect payment and reporting. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.