CPT code 32098 denotes an open surgical procedure to access the pleural cavity and obtain one or more biopsies of the pleura. This code captures invasive diagnostic sampling of the pleural lining and is used in cases where less invasive methods (for example, thoracentesis or closed needle biopsy) are inadequate or contraindicated. The procedure has national relevance for thoracic surgery, pulmonology, and oncology pathways when tissue diagnosis of pleural disease is required.

Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical and billing-focused overview that covers the service context, typical sites of care, common modifiers used with this code, and where CPT code 32098 fits within diagnostic workflows for pleural disease. The publication summarizes typical utilization scenarios, reimbursement and coding considerations at a national level, and related service-level context. Data not available in the input for payer-specific rates, linked ICD-10 diagnoses, associated taxonomies, and related codes are noted as unavailable. This resource is intended to clarify coding meaning and operational context for clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts.