CPT code 32552 represents the surgical removal of a previously placed, subcutaneously tunneled pleural catheter that is secured beneath the skin. This procedure is relevant nationally for management of patients with recurrent pleural effusions, malignant pleural disease, or long-term pleural drainage needs, and it affects hospital, ambulatory surgery center, and outpatient practice billing workflows. The code matters because it distinguishes catheter explantation from percutaneous or bedside drain removal and can influence coding accuracy, resource utilization, and procedural documentation.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for catheter removal, expected sites of service, common billing modifiers associated with procedural codes, and what to expect when aligning documentation with claims submission. The publication also highlights typical procedural considerations and coding relationships that affect reimbursement categorization. Data not available in the input for payer-specific coverage rules, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 diagnosis pairings is noted where applicable. This piece is intended to provide national-level clarity on code definition, clinical setting, and the administrative elements relevant to CPT code 32552.