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CPT code 32550: Pleural catheter, tunneled catheter with cuff2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Arkansas

Report tunneled pleural catheter placement when a cuffed, indwelling catheter is inserted to manage recurrent fluid in the pleural space.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality13.2K Medicare services in 2024

In Arkansas, Medicare pays $685.23 for 32550 in the office and $167.92 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$685.23Office (non-facility)
$167.92Hospital or facility
−12.6%vs the national office rate ($783.59)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32550 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 32550 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Arkansas
  2. What 32550 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 32550 covers

This service places a cuffed catheter through a subcutaneous tunnel into the pleural space, leaving it in place for repeated drainage. Pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and interventional radiologists commonly perform the procedure for recurrent pleural effusions, including malignant effusions, in hospital outpatient or office settings. The tunneled route and cuff distinguish this device from a temporary pleural drain.

Select the code when the documentation supports placement of an indwelling tunneled catheter with a cuff, rather than a non-tunneled catheter or a one-time pleural aspiration. Record the indication, catheter type and placement, and the pleural space treated. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. Assistant-at-surgery services are not paid; 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 Arkansas compares for 32550

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32550 runs from $685.23 in Arkansas to $1,072.14 in San Benito County, CA. Arkansas pays $685.23. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32550 in Arkansas vs other payment areas
  1. Arkansas · this page$685.23
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$900.02+$214.79
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$906.13+$220.90
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$835.83+$150.60
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$809.73+$124.50
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$905.24+$220.01
  7. Alaska · Alaska$881.26+$196.03

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

Every other payment area

32550 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$696.32$169.38
ArizonaArizona$761.32$177.77
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$840.69$180.66
Chico, CACalifornia$839.19$179.16
El Centro, CACalifornia$839.28$179.24
Fresno, CACalifornia$839.19$179.16
Hanford, CACalifornia$839.19$179.16
Madera, CACalifornia$839.19$179.16

32550 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.

$685.23

$955.67

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

View every state and territory as a table
32550 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$881.261
AL$696.321
AR$685.231
AZ$761.321
CA$839.19–$1,072.1429
CO$822.281
CT$838.911
DC$906.131
DE$774.841
FL$764.04–$835.833
GA$717.85–$797.622
GU$863.951
HI$863.951
IA$719.001
ID$723.491
IL$737.59–$814.884
IN$728.191
KS$713.801
KY$711.211
LA$709.39–$748.202
MA$816.03–$910.902
MD$791.13–$906.133
ME$726.03–$771.552
MI$730.19–$772.912
MN$790.121
MO$694.97–$752.953
MS$690.321
MT$783.551
NC$734.631
ND$773.471
NE$723.791
NH$807.651
NJ$849.13–$895.022
NM$733.981
NV$781.381
NY$746.58–$927.115
OH$728.131
OK$711.421
OR$775.97–$852.192
PA$730.25–$815.372
PR$790.361
RI$805.261
SC$732.471
SD$772.271
TN$717.551
TX$724.87–$818.968
UT$743.511
VA$767.71–$906.132
VI$790.361
VT$768.781
WA$815.04–$931.892
WI$744.961
WV$707.221
WY$779.161

See 32550 in every payment locality

How the 32550 rate is calculated

Each of 32550’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 · 32550

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.82

3.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense19.13

19.13 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.51

0.51 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

23.4600

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$783.59

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

The exact Arkansas inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,729

Code
32550
Physician work
3.82
Practice expense
19.13
Malpractice
0.51

GPCI2026.csv

7

Locality
Arkansas
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.859
Malpractice
0.515
Office calculation for 32550 in Arkansas
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.82× 1.0003.8200
Practice expense19.13× 0.85916.4327
Malpractice0.51× 0.5150.2626
Total RVUs20.5153
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Arkansas$685.23

Office: (3.82 × 1 + 19.13 × 0.859 + 0.51 × 0.515) × $33.4009 = $685.23

Facility: (3.82 × 1 + 1.1 × 0.859 + 0.51 × 0.515) × $33.4009 = $167.92

Open 32550 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 32550

The CMS indicators that decide how 32550 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 32550

Pleural catheter, tunneled catheter with cuff

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
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.

Codes related to 32550

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

Codes related to 32550
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Arkansas
Used instead
32556Pleural catheter, without imaging guidanceNon-tunneled pleural catheter insertion without imaging guidance.$729.69
32557Pleural catheter, with imaging guidanceNon-tunneled pleural catheter insertion with imaging guidance.$567.14
32551Chest tube, open thoracostomyChest tube insertion for pleural drainage rather than tunneled indwelling catheter placement.No office rate
32554Thoracentesis, without imaging guidancePleural fluid aspiration without imaging, rather than leaving a catheter in place.$229.72
32555Thoracentesis, with imaging guidancePleural fluid aspiration with imaging, rather than leaving a catheter in place.$275.00

How 32550 has changed in Arkansas

32550 · Office / nonfacility

$685.23

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $55.12 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $630.11 to $685.23 (8.7%).

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

    $630.11changed to$685.23

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.92 changed to 3.82
    • Practice expense RVU 17.78 changed to 19.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.52 changed to 0.51
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.860 changed to 0.859
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.518 changed to 0.515

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $671.69changed to$630.11

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 18.58 changed to 17.78
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.52

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $660.73changed to$671.69

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $699.72changed to$660.73

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 19.30 changed to 18.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.860
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.518

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $735.85changed to$699.72

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 20.18 changed to 19.30
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.847 changed to 0.853
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.465 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $741.79changed to$735.85

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Malpractice RVU 0.53 changed to 0.54

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $709.45changed to$741.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 18.00 changed to 20.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.859 changed to 0.847
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.521 changed to 0.465

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $681.38changed to$709.45

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 16.83 changed to 18.00
    • Malpractice RVU 0.54 changed to 0.53
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.859
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.576 changed to 0.521

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $646.52changed to$681.38

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 15.73 changed to 16.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.56 changed to 0.54

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $643.06changed to$646.52

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 15.72 changed to 15.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.58 changed to 0.56
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.872
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.555 changed to 0.576

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $703.35changed to$643.06

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Work RVU 4.17 changed to 3.92
    • Practice expense RVU 17.46 changed to 15.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.63 changed to 0.58
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.867 changed to 0.870
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.534 changed to 0.555

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $706.77changed to$703.35

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 17.47 changed to 17.46
    • Malpractice RVU 0.66 changed to 0.63

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $703.26changed to$706.77

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $699.56changed to$703.26

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 17.36 changed to 17.47
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.867
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.492 changed to 0.534

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $725.44changed to$699.56

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 19.47 changed to 17.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.69 changed to 0.66
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.865 changed to 0.866
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.450 changed to 0.492

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $725.44

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$685.23$167.92RVU26D
2026-07-01$685.23$167.92RVU26C
2026-04-01$685.23$167.92RVU26B
2026-01-01$685.23$167.92RVU26A
2025-10-01$630.11$179.46RVU25D
2025-07-01$630.11$179.46RVU25C
2025-04-01$630.11$179.46RVU25B
2025-01-01$630.11$179.46RVU25A
2024-10-01$671.69$183.88RVU24D
2024-07-01$671.69$183.88RVU24C
2024-04-01$671.69$183.88RVU24B
2024-03-09$671.69$183.88RVU24AR
2024-01-01$660.73$180.88RVU24A
2023-10-01$699.72$186.36RVU23D
2023-07-01$699.72$186.36RVU23C
2023-04-01$699.72$186.36RVU23B
2023-01-01$699.72$186.36RVU23A
2022-10-01$735.85$189.19RVU22D
2022-07-01$735.85$189.19RVU22C
2022-04-01$735.85$189.19RVU22B
2022-01-01$735.85$189.19RVU22A
2021-10-01$741.79$190.89RVU21D
2021-07-01$741.79$190.89RVU21C
2021-04-01$741.79$190.89RVU21B
2021-01-01$741.79$190.89RVU21A
2020-10-01$709.45$198.56RVU20D
2020-07-01$709.45$198.56RVU20C
2020-04-01$709.45$198.56RVU20B
2020-01-01$709.45$198.56RVU20A
2019-10-01$681.38$200.25RVU19D
2019-07-01$681.38$200.25RVU19C
2019-04-01$681.38$200.25RVU19B
2019-01-01$681.38$200.25RVU19A
2018-10-01$646.52$200.76RVU18D
2018-07-01$646.52$200.76RVU18C
2018-04-01$646.52$200.76RVU18B
2018-01-01$646.52$200.76RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$643.06$200.63RVU17D
2017-07-01$643.06$200.63RVU17C
2017-04-01$643.06$200.63RVU17B
2017-01-01$643.06$200.63RVU17A
2016-10-01$703.35$211.95RVU16D
2016-07-01$703.35$211.95RVU16C
2016-04-01$703.35$211.95RVU16B
2016-01-01$703.35$211.95RVU16A
2015-10-01$706.77$213.60RVU15D
2015-07-01$706.77$213.60RVU15C
2015-04-01$703.26$212.54RVU15B
2015-01-01$703.26$212.54RVU15A
2014-10-01$699.56$212.20RVU14D
2014-07-01$699.56$212.20RVU14C
2014-04-01$699.56$212.20RVU14B
2014-01-01$699.56$212.20RVU14A
2013-10-01$725.44$204.53RVU13D
2013-07-01$725.44$204.53RVU13C
2013-04-01$725.44$204.53RVU13B
2013-01-01$725.44$204.53RVU13AR

Price 32550 for an earlier date of service

Where the Arkansas rate applies

Arkansas is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 626 cities and communities in Arkansas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Acorn
  • Adona
  • Alexander
  • Alicia
  • Alix
  • Alleene
  • Allport
  • Alma

Browse all communities in Arkansas

32550 billing questions

How does this differ from codes 32556 and 32557?

Code 32550 describes placement of an indwelling tunneled catheter with a cuff. Codes 32556 and 32557 describe pleural catheter insertion without that tunneled-cuff distinction, with imaging status distinguishing those two codes.

When would a pleural aspiration code be more appropriate?

Use 32554 or 32555 for aspiration of pleural fluid rather than placement of a catheter intended to remain for repeated drainage. The aspiration codes differ according to imaging guidance.

Is same-day preoperative or postoperative care separately included?

CMS assigns 32550 a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure.

Can an assistant, co-surgeon, or surgical team be paid?

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

What documentation supports reporting 32550?

Document the recurrent pleural-fluid indication and that a cuffed catheter was placed through a tunnel and left indwelling in the pleural space. A temporary drain or one-time aspiration supports a different service.

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 32550PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,729 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ArkansasGPCI2026.csv, line 7 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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