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CPT code 32550: Pleural catheter, tunneled catheter with cuff2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

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 Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $906.13 for 32550 in the office and $196.72 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$906.13Office (non-facility)
$196.72Hospital or facility
+15.6%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 Washington, DC area
  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 Washington, DC area 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. Washington, DC area pays $906.13. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32550 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$906.13
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$900.02−$6.11
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$835.83−$70.30
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$809.73−$96.40
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$905.24−$0.89
  6. Alaska · Alaska$881.26−$24.87
  7. Alabama · Alabama$696.32−$209.81

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

32550 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$685.23$167.92
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 Washington, DC area 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

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 32550 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.82× 1.0544.0263
Practice expense19.13× 1.17822.5351
Malpractice0.51× 1.1130.5676
Total RVUs27.1290
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$906.13

Office: (3.82 × 1.054 + 19.13 × 1.178 + 0.51 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $906.13

Facility: (3.82 × 1.054 + 1.1 × 1.178 + 0.51 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $196.72

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, Washington, DC area
Used instead
32556Pleural catheter, without imaging guidanceNon-tunneled pleural catheter insertion without imaging guidance.$979.83
32557Pleural catheter, with imaging guidanceNon-tunneled pleural catheter insertion with imaging guidance.$750.01
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.$299.11
32555Thoracentesis, with imaging guidancePleural fluid aspiration with imaging, rather than leaving a catheter in place.$356.68

How 32550 has changed in Washington, DC area

32550 · Office / nonfacility

$906.13

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $66.91 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $839.22 to $906.13 (8.0%).

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

    $839.22changed to$906.13

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $896.15changed to$839.22

    • 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

    $881.52changed to$896.15

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $956.79changed to$881.52

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 19.30 changed to 18.58
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $1030.33changed to$956.79

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 20.18 changed to 19.30
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $1038.42changed to$1030.33

    • 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

    $966.01changed to$1038.42

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 18.00 changed to 20.18
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $903.05changed to$966.01

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $855.25changed to$903.05

    • 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

    $853.72changed to$855.25

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $939.09changed to$853.72

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $944.29changed to$939.09

    • 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

    $939.59changed to$944.29

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $932.84changed to$939.59

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 17.36 changed to 17.47
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $968.94changed to$932.84

    • 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
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $968.94

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$906.13$196.72RVU26D
2026-07-01$906.13$196.72RVU26C
2026-04-01$906.13$196.72RVU26B
2026-01-01$906.13$196.72RVU26A
2025-10-01$839.22$214.59RVU25D
2025-07-01$839.22$214.59RVU25C
2025-04-01$839.22$214.59RVU25B
2025-01-01$839.22$214.59RVU25A
2024-10-01$896.15$220.03RVU24D
2024-07-01$896.15$220.03RVU24C
2024-04-01$896.15$220.03RVU24B
2024-03-09$896.15$220.03RVU24AR
2024-01-01$881.52$216.43RVU24A
2023-10-01$956.79$226.16RVU23D
2023-07-01$956.79$226.16RVU23C
2023-04-01$956.79$226.16RVU23B
2023-01-01$956.79$226.16RVU23A
2022-10-01$1,030.33$232.61RVU22D
2022-07-01$1,030.33$232.61RVU22C
2022-04-01$1,030.33$232.61RVU22B
2022-01-01$1,030.33$232.61RVU22A
2021-10-01$1,038.42$234.51RVU21D
2021-07-01$1,038.42$234.51RVU21C
2021-04-01$1,038.42$234.51RVU21B
2021-01-01$1,038.42$234.51RVU21A
2020-10-01$966.01$239.81RVU20D
2020-07-01$966.01$239.81RVU20C
2020-04-01$966.01$239.81RVU20B
2020-01-01$966.01$239.81RVU20A
2019-10-01$903.05$238.18RVU19D
2019-07-01$903.05$238.18RVU19C
2019-04-01$903.05$238.18RVU19B
2019-01-01$903.05$238.18RVU19A
2018-10-01$855.25$239.26RVU18D
2018-07-01$855.25$239.26RVU18C
2018-04-01$855.25$239.26RVU18B
2018-01-01$855.25$239.26RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$853.72$240.92RVU17D
2017-07-01$853.72$240.92RVU17C
2017-04-01$853.72$240.92RVU17B
2017-01-01$853.72$240.92RVU17A
2016-10-01$939.09$256.12RVU16D
2016-07-01$939.09$256.12RVU16C
2016-04-01$939.09$256.12RVU16B
2016-01-01$939.09$256.12RVU16A
2015-10-01$944.29$258.85RVU15D
2015-07-01$944.29$258.85RVU15C
2015-04-01$939.59$257.57RVU15B
2015-01-01$939.59$257.57RVU15A
2014-10-01$932.84$256.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$932.84$256.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$932.84$256.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$932.84$256.39RVU14A
2013-10-01$968.94$247.50RVU13D
2013-07-01$968.94$247.50RVU13C
2013-04-01$968.94$247.50RVU13B
2013-01-01$968.94$247.50RVU13AR

Price 32550 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

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 Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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