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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRemoval Procedures on the Lungs and PleuraCPT cpt-32540-empyema-excision-pleural-lining
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    CPT 32540: Removal of Pleural Empyema with Pleural Lining Excision

    Medicare pays $1643 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 32540 describes surgical removal of an intact pleural empyema and excision of surrounding pleural lining, a thoracic surgical procedure performed as an open operative debridement; service type: surgical debridement of pleural space; typical site of service: inpatient or operating room setting within a hospital or specialized surgical center.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA), Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment, Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old male with a recent history of complicated pneumonia presents with fever, pleuritic chest pain, and increasing shortness of breath. Imaging (chest CT and ultrasound) demonstrates a loculated pleural fluid collection with thickened pleura consistent with an empyema. The patient is optimized preoperatively, informed consent is obtained, and the thoracic surgery team schedules a surgical decortication and evacuation of empyema under general anesthesia. Intraoperative steps include thoracostomy, inspection of the pleural space, removal of the purulent collection and organized fibrinous peel from the visceral pleura, control of bleeding, and placement of one or more chest tubes for postoperative drainage. Postoperative workflow includes PACU recovery, chest tube management, targeted antibiotics guided by cultures, chest imaging to confirm re-expansion, and discharge planning with outpatient follow-up for chest tube removal and pulmonary rehabilitation as needed.

    Related Diagnoses

    ICD-10 CodeDescriptionClinical Relevance
    Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207V00000XObstetrics & Gynecology PhysicianAn obstetrician/gynecologist possesses special knowledge, skills and professional capability in the medical and surgical care of the female reproducti…
    2085N0904XNuclear Radiology PhysicianA radiologist who is involved in the analysis and imaging of radionuclides and radiolabeled substances in vitro and in vivo for diagnosis and the admi…
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    207YS0012XSleep Medicine (Otolaryngology) PhysicianAn Otolaryngologist who practices Sleep Medicine is certified in the subspecialty of sleep medicine and specializes in the clinical assessment, physio…
    246QB0000XBlood Banking Specialist/TechnologistTechnologists, Technicians & Other Technical Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist, Pathology
    173F00000XSleep Specialist (PhD)Sleep medicine is a clinical specialty with a focus on clinical problems that require accurate diagnosis and treatment. The knowledge base of sleep me…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 2

    6 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessmentblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-32440-THORACOTOMY-PNEUMONECTOMY-ENTIRE-LUNG-REMOVAL

    CPT 32440: Thoracotomy to Remove a Lung

    CPT-32442-PNEUMONECTOMY-WITH-BRONCHOTRACHEAL-ANASTOMOSIS

    CPT 32442: Pneumonectomy with Bronchotracheal Anastomosis

    CPT-32445-RADICAL-PNEUMONECTOMY-WITH-PLEURECTOMY

    CPT 32445: Pneumonectomy with Parietal Pleural Tumor Resection

    CPT-32480-SINGLE-LOBE-LOBECTOMY

    CPT 32480: Lobectomy, Single Lobe

    CPT-32482-BILOBECTOMY-TWO-LOBE-LUNG-RESECTION

    CPT 32482: Bilobar Lung Lobectomy (Removal of Two Lobes)

    CPT-32484-SEGMENTAL-LUNG-RESECTION

    CPT 32484: Wedge/Segmental Resection of Lung

    CPT-32486-LUNG-RESECTION-WITH-BRONCHIAL-REPAIR

    CPT 32486: Lobectomy with Bronchial Repair

    CPT-32488-COMPLETION-PNEUMONECTOMY-REMAINING-LUNG-TISSUE

    CPT 32488: Completion Pneumonectomy, Removal of Remaining Lung Tissue

    CPT-32491-EMPHYSEMA-LUNG-TISSUE-RESECTION-STERNAL-TRANSTHORACIC

    CPT 32491: Surgical Resection of Emphysematous Lung Tissue

    CPT-32501-BRONCHIAL-REPAIR-POST-LOBECTOMY-SEGMENTECTOMY

    CPT 32501: Bronchial Repair After Lobectomy

    Showing 1–10 of 15

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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