Rate Benchmarking
Compare your rates with similar providers.
Select a published rate, define comparable providers, and see where that rate falls in your market.
See a sample rate comparisonCPT 32551 Fee Schedule
Last Verified: October 2026
Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address moderate-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.
Tube Thoracostomy Includes Co, Tube Thoracostomy Includes Connection To Drainagesystem (Eg Water Seal) When Performed Open (Se Parate Procedure)
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Surgery Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System |
| Common Place of Service | 21 - Inpatient Hospital 23 - Emergency Room |
| Common Modifiers | RT - Right side of body LT - Left side of body |
| Complexity Level | Moderate |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | $142.96 national non-facility rate (2026) · View Medicare rates for 32551 |
| Medicaid Fee Schedule | $113.39 median of the 8 states in the free preview · View Medicaid rates for 32551 |
National average reimbursement for CPT 32551 by major payers:
$226.43
$219.19
$240.23
$274.61
Compare published rates across providers.
Choose a payer to see a sample of rates for CPT 32551.
CPT 32551
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
Metrocrest Surgery Center Lp, Baylor Surgicare At Carrollton
Metrocrest Surgery Center Lp
$2,172.00Published rateEndo-Surgi Of Union Asc LLC
Endo-Surgi Center, P.A.
$925.00Published rateIredell Physician Network LLC, Iredell Ambulatory Surgery Center
$452.00Published rateLanier Eye Associates, LLC, Advanced Eye Surgery And Laser Center
Lanier Eye Associates LLC
$350.00Published rateAndrea Infantino
Deaconess Hospital Inc
$126.80Published rate
Get a free rate benchmark for your specialty.
Choose your state and specialty to build a report from payer-published rates.
Use market rates to prepare your payer proposal.
Payer Contract Negotiation
Draft a fee schedule renegotiation letter.
Use your fee schedule and market benchmarks to set target rates and draft a letter for your payer.
See a sample payer proposalCPT 32551 vs. Other Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Codes
The CPT 32551 code is part of the Surgery services used for Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.
The CPT 32551 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.
| Code | Complexity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 32540-CPT | High | Removal Of Chest Abscess, Surgery To Remove Infected Tissue And Secretions (Empyema) From The Chest Interior. The Procedure Involves Removing The Tissue Lining The Area Around The Empyema. |
| 32551-CPT | Moderate | Tube Thoracostomy Includes Co, Tube Thoracostomy Includes Connection To Drainagesystem (Eg Water Seal) When Performed Open (Se Parate Procedure) |
| 32552-CPT | Moderate | Remove Lung Drainage Device, Procedure To Remove A Drainage Tube From The Chest Cavity. The Tube Had Been Inserted To Drain Fluid From The Lung Lining. |
| 32560-CPT | Moderate | Treat Collapsed Lung, This Treatment Eliminates The Space Between The Layers Of Tissue That Line The Lung. An Irritant Fluid Is Injected Between The Layers Causing Them To Stick Together So That Air Or Fluid Does Not Accumulate And Cause The Lung To Collapse. |
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 32551. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 32551 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.
Factors that affect fee schedules
Medicare & Medicaid Rates
Government-set reimbursement amounts
Private Insurance Rates
Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies
Geographic Location
Costs may be higher in urban areas.
Provider Type
Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.
FREE SAMPLE MARKET COMPARISON
Let's review your payer contracts side-by-side with the market.
Bring your top codes (like CPT 32551) and we'll show you how you compare in 15 minutes or less.
Frequently Asked Questions
To find out the cost of a medical procedure, you can start by contacting your healthcare provider's billing department for an estimate. It's also advisable to contact your insurance company directly to understand your coverage, deductible, copay, and coinsurance responsibilities for that specific procedure. For a more precise understanding of typical pricing based on CPT codes and your specific location, you can utilize tools like Payerprice. They offer a fee schedule lookup tool where you can search with a CPT code to get an idea of costs relevant to your area.
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. CPT codes are standardized five-digit alphanumeric codes used by healthcare providers to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services to health insurers. They are crucial for accurate billing and reimbursement, as they provide a uniform language for reporting medical services and procedures. Understanding the CPT code for a service you receive can help you research its typical cost and understand your bill better. Many pricing transparency tools, like Payerprice, allow you to search for costs using CPT codes.
These are common terms related to your health insurance costs: * **Deductible:** This is the amount of money you must pay out-of-pocket for covered healthcare services before your insurance plan starts to pay. * **Copay (Copayment):** This is a fixed amount you pay for a covered healthcare service after you've paid your deductible (though some plans have copays that apply before the deductible for certain services). For example, you might have a $25 copay for a doctor's visit. * **Coinsurance:** This is your share of the cost of a covered healthcare service, calculated as a percentage (e.g., 20%) of the allowed amount for the service, after you've met your deductible. If your coinsurance is 20% and the allowed amount for a service is $100, you would pay $20.
The variation in prices for the same procedure can be attributed to several factors. These include differences in a provider's operating costs (such as rent, staffing, and technology), their negotiation power with insurance companies, whether the facility is in-network or out-of-network, geographic location, the complexity of the specific case, and whether the provider is part of a larger hospital system or an independent practice. Additionally, the lack of widespread price transparency in healthcare has historically contributed to these disparities, making tools like Payerprice valuable for comparing costs.
For a detailed breakdown of what your insurance will cover for a specific service, the best approach is to contact your insurance provider directly. They can explain your benefits, inform you about your deductible status, copayments, coinsurance, and any pre-authorization requirements for the service. You can also ask your healthcare provider's billing department to submit a pre-service estimate or pre-authorization request to your insurer for a more precise cost breakdown based on your specific plan. For general fee schedule information using a CPT code to understand typical costs in your area, tools like Payerprice can offer valuable insights.