Data Platform
Sign InTry for Free

CPT 32551 Fee Schedule

Last Verified: December 2025

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 Connection To Drainagesystem (Eg Water Seal) When Performed Open (Separate Procedure) (Revised 1/1/2013)
Key FactDetail
Service Type

Surgery

Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System

Common Place of Service

21 - Inpatient Hospital

23 - Emergency Room

Common Modifiers

None

RT - Right side of body

LT - Left side of body

Complexity LevelModerate

National average reimbursement for CPT 32551 by major payers:

bcbs

$226.43

uhc

$219.19

aetna

$240.23

cigna

$274.61

Preview provider-level rates for...
For billing codeCPT 32551
PayerCodeRateNPITax IDStateSpecialty

Select a payer to view fee schedule data

Choose a payer from the options above to see rates for CPT 32551

United
32551$200.001215038252 - RED LION SURGICENTER, LLC204914143 - (PA) RED LION SURGICENTER LLCPAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$967.001740794973 - EPIC ASC, LLC, EPIC SURGERY CENTER611859657KSAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$895.001902070832 - GASTRO OPERATING COMPANY LLC, (DBA) MEADOWBROOK ENDOSCOPY CENTER202432134 - (NY) GASTRO OPERATING COMPANY, LLCNYAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$967.001194723981 - GREENWOOD ASC LLC, GREENWOOD AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER331021175 - (CO) GREENWOOD ASC LLCCOAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$126.801942224001 - KRISTI COTTRELL350593390 - DEACONESS HOSPITAL INCCANurse Practitioner (363L00000X)
United
32551$850.001154323988 - CENTRAL VIRGINIA SURGI-CENTER LP, SURGI-CENTER OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA752967162 - (VA) CENTRAL VIRGINIA SURGICENTER LPVAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$550.001609206614 - HURST AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER, LLC, PRECINCT AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER, LLC463648821 - (TX) HURST AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER LLCTXAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$967.001295344026 - WEST CHESTER SURGICAL SUITES, LLC845072006 - (OH) WEST CHESTER SURGICAL SUITES LLCOHAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$540.001750529814 - WEST BRIDGEWATER MA ENDOSCOPY ASC LLC, COMMONWEALTH ENDOSCOPY CENTER261765306 - (MA) WEST BRIDGEWATER MA ENDOSCOPY ASC LLCMAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$275.981639432107 - BABATUNDE OYEDIRAN350593390 - DEACONESS HOSPITAL INCTXAnesthesiology Physician (207L00000X)
United
32551$2266.001396774543 - WISCONSIN SURGERY CENTER LLC383661215 - (WI) WISCONSIN SURGERY CENTER, LLCWIAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$1182.001457370447 - ORTHOPEDIC ASSOCIATES SURGERY CENTER LLC200446252 - (CT) ORTHOPEDIC ASSOCIATES SURGERY CENTER LLCCTAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$275.981467853929 - SALIL SHAH350593390 - DEACONESS HOSPITAL INCFLInternal Medicine Physician (207R00000X)
United
32551$356.001518592021 - FIRST SURGERY CENTER, INC.842066148 - (CA) FIRST SURGERY CENTER INCCAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
32551$1156.001144380163 - THE CENTRE LLC352121237INAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/Center (261QA1903X)
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist
United
99202$100.0012345678901234567890CACardiologist

Want to see your competitors' rates?

Start your trial today to unlock complete access to provider rates and fee schedules in your area.

Here's what you can do with PayerPrice

Renegotiate your managed care contracts

Benchmark your current rates against market averages to identify opportunities for rate optimization.

Prospect for new business using fee schedules

Access every provider's negotiated rates for every billing code in your market to inform your prospecting strategies.

Integrate real-time payer data into your workflows

Automatically keep fee schedules up-to-date without adding yet another log-in to your insurance systems. Connect via API or SQL.

PayerPrice shows you the exact negotiated rates that insurers publish under federal transparency rules.
We display the raw data directly from insurers' files, giving you the same information they make public. Learn more about Price Transparency.

CPT 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.

CodeComplexityDescription
32540-CPTHighExtrapleural Enucleation Empyema Cavity
32551-CPTModerateTube Thoracostomy Includes Connection To Drainagesystem (Eg Water Seal) When Performed Open (Separate Procedure) (Revised 1/1/2013)
32552-CPTModerateRmvl Ndwellg Tun Pleural Cath W Cuff
32560-CPTModerateInstillation, Via Chest Tube/Catheter, Agent For Pleurodesis (Eg, Talc For Recurrent Or Persistent Pneumothorax)

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.