Summary & Overview
CPT 32552: Removal of Subcutaneously Tunneled Pleural Catheter
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.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 32552 describes the removal of a previously placed subcutaneously tunneled pleural catheter that is secured under the skin. The procedure involves explanting a pleural catheter from the pleural space and surrounding subcutaneous tissues.
-
Service type: Surgical removal of an indwelling pleural catheter
-
Typical site of service: Outpatient surgical suite or hospital inpatient setting depending on clinical status and facility scheduling
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with a tunneled pleural catheter previously placed for recurrent malignant or chronic pleural effusion (for example due to metastatic lung or breast cancer, or recurrent symptomatic heart failure–related effusion) who now requires removal because the catheter is no longer draining, the pleural space has sufficiently obliterated, the catheter is infected, or the patient/family requests removal. The procedure is performed in a procedure room, minor operating room, or ambulatory surgical center under local anesthesia with or without mild sedation. The workflow includes verification of indication and informed consent, review of recent imaging or drainage records, sterile preparation, incision opening at the subcutaneous catheter site, dissection of capsule if present, removal of the tunneled catheter and cuff, inspection for hemostasis, closure of the incision with sutures or adhesive, dressings applied, and post-procedure monitoring for pneumothorax, bleeding, or recurrent symptoms before discharge. Documentation includes indication, informed consent, anesthesia/sedation, time of removal, any complications, and post-procedure instructions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Default code; no modifier | Use when no specific modifier applies and billing requires the base code alone |