CPT code 32097 identifies an open surgical incision into the pleural space with biopsy of one or more abnormal lung masses. This diagnostic procedure is used when tissue sampling via less invasive methods is insufficient or not feasible; it has implications for staging, treatment planning, and definitive diagnosis of pulmonary masses. Nationally, surgical lung biopsies remain important for cases requiring larger tissue samples or when tumor location or patient anatomy limits percutaneous or bronchoscopic approaches. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find a compact briefing on the clinical context and service setting for 32097, payer coverage considerations, and typical billing and reporting practices. The publication covers benchmarks and reimbursement context where available, recent policy updates affecting surgical lung biopsy coverage, and clinical considerations that influence site-of-service and documentation. Practical information on associated procedure coding and common modifiers is summarized elsewhere in the full publication. Data not available in the input is noted where specific payer policies, related codes, or ICD-10 pairings are required for claim-level guidance.