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See a sample rate comparisonCPT 32555 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.
Drainage Of Fluid Around Lungs, A Procedure To Drain Fluid Surrounding The Lungs And Reinflate The Lungs With A Needle Or Tube. Imaging Guidance May Be Used To Better View The Area.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service Type | Surgery Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System |
| Common Place of Service | 21 - Inpatient Hospital 22 - On Campus Outpatient Hospital |
| Common Modifiers | RT - Right side of body LT - Left side of body |
| Complexity Level | Moderate |
| Medicare Fee Schedule | $310.96 national non-facility rate (2026) · View Medicare rates for 32555 |
| Medicaid Fee Schedule | $245.01 median of the 8 states in the free preview · View Medicaid rates for 32555 |
National average reimbursement for CPT 32555 by major payers:
$489.08
$568.16
$549.74
$223.05
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CPT 32555
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
Gregg Bean
$962.54Published rateErin Kelly
Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.
$397.74Published rateRadha Nathan
Urban Strategies-Brookdale Family Care Center Inc
$351.63Published rateJulieann Warner
Rochester General Hospital
$270.14Published rateChristopher Raio
St Francis Hospital
$125.06Published rate
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See a sample payer proposalCPT 32555 vs. Other Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Codes
The CPT 32555 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 32555 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 32554-CPT | Moderate | Drainage Of Fluid Around Lungs, A Procedure To Drain Fluid Surrounding The Lungs And Reinflate The Lungs With A Needle Or Tube. Imaging Guidance May Be Used To Better View The Area. |
| 32555-CPT | Moderate | Drainage Of Fluid Around Lungs, A Procedure To Drain Fluid Surrounding The Lungs And Reinflate The Lungs With A Needle Or Tube. Imaging Guidance May Be Used To Better View The Area. |
| 32556-CPT | Moderate | Drain Fluid From Cavity, Surgery To Drain Fluid That Has Accumulated Around The Lung By Inserting A Thin Tube (Catheter) Through The Skin. The Procedure May Include Using An X-Ray Machine To Better View The Area. |
| 32557-CPT | Moderate | Drain Fluid From Cavity, Surgery To Drain Fluid That Has Accumulated Around The Lung By Inserting A Thin Tube (Catheter) Through The Skin. The Procedure May Include Using An X-Ray Machine To Better View The Area. |
What is a fee schedule?
A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 32555. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.
Understanding the 32555 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To find out the estimated cost of a specific medical procedure or service, you can consult with your healthcare provider for an estimate. For a more comprehensive understanding of pricing based on CPT codes and your specific location, you can utilize fee schedule lookup tools. Payerprice offers a tool for this purpose, allowing you to search for prices with CPT codes and location information.
CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. CPT codes are a standardized set of medical codes used by healthcare providers, hospitals, and insurance companies to describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. They are crucial for billing, processing insurance claims, and understanding healthcare costs, as prices are often tied to specific CPT codes. Knowing the CPT code for a service helps you research its cost.
For information on medical service prices specific to your location, online price transparency tools are available. Payerprice provides a fee schedule lookup tool that allows you to search for prices by entering the relevant CPT code and your specific geographical area, helping you understand potential costs before receiving care.
Comparing prices for the same medical service from different providers typically involves obtaining the CPT code for the service and then using a price transparency tool. Payerprice's fee schedule lookup tool can assist in this by allowing you to search for costs based on the CPT code and location, giving you a better idea of the price range in your area from various providers.
While Payerprice provides valuable information on fee schedules based on CPT codes and location, your actual out-of-pocket cost will also depend on your specific insurance plan (deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, in-network vs. out-of-network benefits). It is recommended to use Payerprice for base price discovery and then contact your insurance provider for a personalized estimate of your financial responsibility.