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CPT code 32400: Pleural biopsy, percutaneous needle2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Vermont

Reports percutaneous needle sampling of pleural tissue when a clinician needs a tissue diagnosis from the lining around the lungs.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality998 Medicare services in 2024

In Vermont, Medicare pays $162.34 for 32400 in the office and $69.42 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$162.34Office (non-facility)
$69.42Hospital or facility
−2.4%vs the national office rate ($166.34)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32400 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 32400 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Vermont
  2. What 32400 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 32400 covers

A clinician passes a needle through the chest wall to obtain pleural tissue for diagnostic evaluation. Pulmonologists, interventional radiologists, and thoracic surgeons may perform the procedure, often in a hospital setting. The target is the pleura, not a lung nodule or mediastinal mass; aspiration of pleural fluid alone is a different service.

Report this code when the needle biopsy samples pleural tissue, and document the target, percutaneous approach, and reason tissue was needed. The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the others are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Vermont compares for 32400

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32400 runs from $148.92 in Arkansas to $215.34 in San Benito County, CA. Vermont pays $162.34. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32400 in Vermont vs other payment areas
  1. Vermont · this page$162.34
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$185.50+$23.16
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$188.43+$26.09
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$179.75+$17.41
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$175.04+$12.70
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$190.20+$27.86
  7. Alaska · Alaska$199.05+$36.71

Other areas in Vermont first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

32400 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$150.87$68.74
ArkansasArkansas$148.92$68.29
ArizonaArizona$162.28$71.33
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$174.95$72.09
Chico, CACalifornia$174.40$71.53
El Centro, CACalifornia$174.43$71.56
Fresno, CACalifornia$174.40$71.53
Hanford, CACalifornia$174.40$71.53

32400 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$148.92

$199.05

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
32400 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$199.051
AL$150.871
AR$148.921
AZ$162.281
CA$174.40–$215.3429
CO$172.291
CT$176.671
DC$188.431
DE$164.781
FL$164.83–$179.753
GA$156.38–$169.362
GU$177.901
HI$177.901
IA$153.971
ID$154.941
IL$160.77–$175.044
IN$155.741
KS$153.481
KY$154.411
LA$154.25–$161.082
MA$171.49–$187.992
MD$167.65–$188.433
ME$155.83–$163.192
MI$158.16–$166.862
MN$165.091
MO$151.98–$161.413
MS$150.471
MT$166.321
NC$157.271
ND$162.771
NE$154.681
NH$169.801
NJ$178.68–$186.822
NM$159.011
NV$165.441
NY$159.41–$194.615
OH$157.431
OK$153.991
OR$164.14–$177.142
PA$157.57–$172.752
PR$167.381
RI$170.171
SC$157.621
SD$162.341
TN$154.191
TX$156.65–$171.738
UT$159.551
VA$162.82–$188.432
VI$167.381
VT$162.341
WA$171.10–$191.462
WI$157.861
WV$155.451
WY$164.771

See 32400 in every payment locality

How the 32400 rate is calculated

Each of 32400’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 32400

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.72

1.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.08

3.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.18

0.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.9800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$166.34

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Vermont inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,710

Code
32400
Physician work
1.72
Practice expense
3.08
Malpractice
0.18

GPCI2026.csv

105

Locality
Vermont
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.990
Malpractice
0.506
Office calculation for 32400 in Vermont
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.72× 1.0001.7200
Practice expense3.08× 0.9903.0492
Malpractice0.18× 0.5060.0911
Total RVUs4.8603
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Vermont$162.34

Office: (1.72 × 1 + 3.08 × 0.99 + 0.18 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $162.34

Facility: (1.72 × 1 + 0.27 × 0.99 + 0.18 × 0.506) × $33.4009 = $69.42

Open 32400 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 32400

The CMS indicators that decide how 32400 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 32400

Pleural biopsy, percutaneous needle

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

32400 without 51 · national office

$166.34

Pleural biopsy, percutaneous needle

32400-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$83.17

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

Codes related to 32400

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 32400
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Vermont
Used instead
32408Core biopsy, lung or mediastinumPercutaneous core biopsy when the target is lung or mediastinal tissue rather than pleura.$791.79
32609Pleural biopsy, thoracoscopic approachPleural tissue biopsy performed through a diagnostic thoracoscopy.No office rate
32555Thoracentesis, with imaging guidanceImage-guided fluid aspiration may be selected when pleural fluid, rather than tissue, is the diagnostic target.$305.03

How 32400 has changed in Vermont

32400 · Office / nonfacility

$162.34

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $1.38 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $160.96 to $162.34 (0.9%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $160.96changed to$162.34

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.76 changed to 1.72
    • Practice expense RVU 3.15 changed to 3.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.993 changed to 0.990
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.506

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $164.16changed to$160.96

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.10 changed to 3.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $161.48changed to$164.16

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $167.35changed to$161.48

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 3.09 changed to 3.10
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.997 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.543 changed to 0.518

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $169.91changed to$167.35

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 3.05 changed to 3.09
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.001 changed to 0.997
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.569 changed to 0.543

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $165.33changed to$169.91

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.89 changed to 3.05
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $163.07changed to$165.33

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.65 changed to 2.89
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.008 changed to 1.001
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.582 changed to 0.569

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $157.94changed to$163.07

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.49 changed to 2.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.015 changed to 1.008
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.595 changed to 0.582

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $153.39changed to$157.94

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.37 changed to 2.49

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $153.10changed to$153.39

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.38 changed to 2.37
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.010 changed to 1.015
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.639 changed to 0.595

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $153.20changed to$153.10

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.010
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.682 changed to 0.639

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $154.24changed to$153.20

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $153.47changed to$154.24

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $151.86changed to$153.47

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.682

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$151.86

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$162.34$69.42RVU26D
2026-07-01$162.34$69.42RVU26C
2026-04-01$162.34$69.42RVU26B
2026-01-01$162.34$69.42RVU26A
2025-10-01$160.96$77.12RVU25D
2025-07-01$160.96$77.12RVU25C
2025-04-01$160.96$77.12RVU25B
2025-01-01$160.96$77.12RVU25A
2024-10-01$164.16$78.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$164.16$78.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$164.16$78.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$164.16$78.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$161.48$77.59RVU24A
2023-10-01$167.35$81.20RVU23D
2023-07-01$167.35$81.20RVU23C
2023-04-01$167.35$81.20RVU23B
2023-01-01$167.35$81.20RVU23A
2022-10-01$169.91$83.31RVU22D
2022-07-01$169.91$83.31RVU22C
2022-04-01$169.91$83.31RVU22B
2022-01-01$169.91$83.31RVU22A
2021-10-01$165.33$83.60RVU21D
2021-07-01$165.33$83.60RVU21C
2021-04-01$165.33$83.60RVU21B
2021-01-01$165.33$83.60RVU21A
2020-10-01$163.07$87.40RVU20D
2020-07-01$163.07$87.40RVU20C
2020-04-01$163.07$87.40RVU20B
2020-01-01$163.07$87.40RVU20A
2019-10-01$157.94$88.08RVU19D
2019-07-01$157.94$88.08RVU19C
2019-04-01$157.94$88.08RVU19B
2019-01-01$157.94$88.08RVU19A
2018-10-01$153.39$88.34RVU18D
2018-07-01$153.39$88.34RVU18C
2018-04-01$153.39$88.34RVU18B
2018-01-01$153.39$88.34RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$153.10$88.58RVU17D
2017-07-01$153.10$88.58RVU17C
2017-04-01$153.10$88.58RVU17B
2017-01-01$153.10$88.58RVU17A
2016-10-01$153.20$88.49RVU16D
2016-07-01$153.20$88.49RVU16C
2016-04-01$153.20$88.49RVU16B
2016-01-01$153.20$88.49RVU16A
2015-10-01$154.24$89.30RVU15D
2015-07-01$154.24$89.30RVU15C
2015-04-01$153.47$88.86RVU15B
2015-01-01$153.47$88.86RVU15A
2014-10-01$151.86$88.43RVU14D
2014-07-01$151.86$88.43RVU14C
2014-04-01$151.86$88.43RVU14B
2014-01-01$151.86$88.43RVU14A
2013-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13D
2013-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13C
2013-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13B
2013-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU13AR

Price 32400 for an earlier date of service

Where the Vermont rate applies

Vermont is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 180 cities and communities in Vermont. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Albany
  • Alburgh
  • Algiers
  • Arlington
  • Ascutney
  • Bakersfield
  • Barnet
  • Barre

Browse all communities in Vermont

32400 billing questions

How do I distinguish this from 32408?

Use 32400 for needle sampling of pleural tissue. Code 32408 describes percutaneous core biopsy of lung or mediastinal tissue.

Can I report this for pleural fluid removal?

No. This code is for tissue sampling. Thoracentesis codes describe pleural fluid aspiration.

Is modifier 50 appropriate for a biopsy on both sides?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

What documentation supports reporting the biopsy?

Document that the target was pleura, that tissue was obtained by a percutaneous needle approach, and the clinical reason for tissue sampling.

How does the multiple-procedure reduction affect payment?

For procedures performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 32400PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,710 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for VermontGPCI2026.csv, line 105 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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