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CPT code 32552: Pleural catheter removal, tunneled catheter with cuff2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Queens, NY

Removal of a tunneled pleural catheter with a cuff, commonly reported when drainage is no longer needed or the catheter must be taken out.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality4.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Queens, NY, Medicare pays $218.82 for 32552 in the office and $167.89 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$218.82Office (non-facility)
$167.89Hospital or facility
+14.7%vs the national office rate ($190.72)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32552 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 32552 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Queens, NY
  2. What 32552 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 32552 covers

This service removes an indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with its cuff. Pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and interventional radiologists commonly perform removal in an outpatient procedure area or hospital setting. Patients often have a catheter placed for recurrent pleural effusion, including malignant effusion; removal may follow successful control of the effusion or occur when the catheter is infected or malfunctioning. The work involves freeing the cuff and withdrawing the catheter, rather than aspirating pleural fluid or inserting a replacement device.

Report the service when the documented procedure removes a tunneled pleural catheter with a cuff. The operative or procedure note should identify the catheter removed and document the removal. Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; CMS does not recognize co-surgeon or team-surgery payment for this service.

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 Queens, NY compares for 32552

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32552 runs from $171.32 in Arkansas to $236.73 in San Benito County, CA. Queens, NY pays $218.82. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32552 in Queens, NY vs other payment areas
  1. Queens, NY · this page$218.82
  2. Manhattan, NY · New York$218.63−$0.19
  3. NYC suburbs and Long Island, NY · New York$224.48+$5.66
  4. Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NY · New York$206.10−$12.72
  5. Rest of New York · New York$182.34−$36.48
  6. Los Angeles, CA · California$207.67−$11.15
  7. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$213.66−$5.16

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

Every other payment area

32552 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Miami, FLFlorida$213.05$168.19
Chicago, ILIllinois$207.35$164.05
AlaskaAlaska$232.82$186.94
AlabamaAlabama$173.48$135.77
ArkansasArkansas$171.32$134.31
ArizonaArizona$186.01$144.25
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$196.82$149.60
Chico, CACalifornia$195.78$148.55

32552 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.

$171.32

$232.82

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

View every state and territory as a table
32552 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$232.821
AL$173.481
AR$171.321
AZ$186.011
CA$195.78–$236.7329
CO$195.231
CT$202.301
DC$213.661
DE$188.761
FL$192.53–$213.053
GA$182.64–$194.922
GU$198.841
HI$198.841
IA$175.291
ID$176.691
IL$189.12–$207.354
IN$177.521
KS$175.521
KY$179.021
LA$179.15–$186.682
MA$194.70–$211.442
MD$191.71–$213.663
ME$178.48–$185.422
MI$183.90–$195.602
MN$185.041
MO$177.13–$186.133
MS$174.211
MT$190.701
NC$179.931
ND$183.581
NE$175.831
NH$193.161
NJ$204.04–$212.132
NM$185.151
NV$188.811
NY$182.34–$224.485
OH$182.451
OK$177.741
OR$186.76–$199.642
PA$182.17–$198.472
PR$191.601
RI$194.161
SC$181.601
SD$182.731
TN$176.401
TX$181.21–$195.238
UT$183.721
VA$185.55–$213.662
VI$191.601
VT$183.821
WA$194.02–$214.482
WI$178.361
WV$183.301
WY$187.591

See 32552 in every payment locality

How the 32552 rate is calculated

Each of 32552’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 · 32552

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.47

2.47 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.88

2.88 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.36

0.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

5.7100

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$190.72

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

The exact Queens, NY inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,731

Code
32552
Physician work
2.47
Practice expense
2.88
Malpractice
0.36

GPCI2026.csv

81

Locality
Queens, NY
Physician work
1.064
Practice expense
1.182
Malpractice
1.442
Office calculation for 32552 in Queens, NY
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.47× 1.0642.6281
Practice expense2.88× 1.1823.4042
Malpractice0.36× 1.4420.5191
Total RVUs6.5514
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Queens, NY$218.82

Office: (2.47 × 1.064 + 2.88 × 1.182 + 0.36 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $218.82

Facility: (2.47 × 1.064 + 1.59 × 1.182 + 0.36 × 1.442) × $33.4009 = $167.89

Open 32552 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 32552

32552 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 32552

Pleural catheter removal, tunneled catheter with cuff

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period010Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are 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)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.80/0.10Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 32552

Pleural catheter removal, tunneled catheter with cuff

10-day global period ends

Oct 11, 2026

Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.

SurgeryVisit
Sep 28, 2026Oct 14, 2026

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

32552 without 51 · national office

$190.72

Pleural catheter removal, tunneled catheter with cuff

32552-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$95.36

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 32552

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

Codes related to 32552
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Queens, NY
Same family
32550Pleural catheter, tunneled catheter with cuffInsertion of a tunneled pleural catheter with a cuff; 32552 describes its removal.$915.57
Used instead
32551Chest tube, open thoracostomyChest-tube placement is a different approach when pleural drainage is needed.No office rate
32554Thoracentesis, without imaging guidanceThoracentesis provides pleural fluid aspiration rather than removal of an indwelling catheter.$302.79

How 32552 has changed in Queens, NY

32552 · Office / nonfacility

$218.82

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $15.30 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $203.52 to $218.82 (7.5%).

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

    $203.52changed to$218.82

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.53 changed to 2.47
    • Practice expense RVU 2.57 changed to 2.88
    • Work GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.064
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.182
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.462 changed to 1.442

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $209.53changed to$203.52

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.56 changed to 2.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.36

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $206.11changed to$209.53

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $220.84changed to$206.11

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.55 changed to 2.56
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.37
    • Work GPCI 1.061 changed to 1.065
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.212 changed to 1.195
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.061 changed to 1.462

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $232.63changed to$220.84

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.54 changed to 2.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.061
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.228 changed to 1.212
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.661 changed to 2.061

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $234.63changed to$232.63

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.52 changed to 2.54
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.35

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $231.59changed to$234.63

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.36
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.228
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.391 changed to 2.661

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $225.93changed to$231.59

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.37 changed to 2.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.052 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.200 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.121 changed to 2.391

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $225.25changed to$225.93

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.36 changed to 2.37

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $226.92changed to$225.25

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.37 changed to 2.36
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.36
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.151 changed to 2.121

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $228.78changed to$226.92

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.38
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.199 changed to 1.200
    • Malpractice GPCI 2.181 changed to 2.151

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $230.82changed to$228.78

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.41 changed to 2.40
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $229.67changed to$230.82

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $235.34changed to$229.67

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.38 changed to 2.41
    • Malpractice RVU 0.57 changed to 0.40
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.052
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.197 changed to 1.199
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.836 changed to 2.181

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $229.59changed to$235.34

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.65 changed to 2.38
    • Malpractice RVU 0.60 changed to 0.57
    • Work GPCI 1.062 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.195 changed to 1.197
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.491 changed to 1.836

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $229.59

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$218.82$167.89RVU26D
2026-07-01$218.82$167.89RVU26C
2026-04-01$218.82$167.89RVU26B
2026-01-01$218.82$167.89RVU26A
2025-10-01$203.52$172.98RVU25D
2025-07-01$203.52$172.98RVU25C
2025-04-01$203.52$172.98RVU25B
2025-01-01$203.52$172.98RVU25A
2024-10-01$209.53$177.71RVU24D
2024-07-01$209.53$177.71RVU24C
2024-04-01$209.53$177.71RVU24B
2024-03-09$209.53$177.71RVU24AR
2024-01-01$206.11$174.81RVU24A
2023-10-01$220.84$187.98RVU23D
2023-07-01$220.84$187.98RVU23C
2023-04-01$220.84$187.98RVU23B
2023-01-01$220.84$187.98RVU23A
2022-10-01$232.63$198.63RVU22D
2022-07-01$232.63$198.63RVU22C
2022-04-01$232.63$198.63RVU22B
2022-01-01$232.63$198.63RVU22A
2021-10-01$234.63$201.21RVU21D
2021-07-01$234.63$201.21RVU21C
2021-04-01$234.63$201.21RVU21B
2021-01-01$234.63$201.21RVU21A
2020-10-01$231.59$199.61RVU20D
2020-07-01$231.59$199.61RVU20C
2020-04-01$231.59$199.61RVU20B
2020-01-01$231.59$199.61RVU20A
2019-10-01$225.93$195.23RVU19D
2019-07-01$225.93$195.23RVU19C
2019-04-01$225.93$195.23RVU19B
2019-01-01$225.93$195.23RVU19A
2018-10-01$225.25$195.01RVU18D
2018-07-01$225.25$195.01RVU18C
2018-04-01$225.25$195.01RVU18B
2018-01-01$225.25$195.01RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$226.92$196.78RVU17D
2017-07-01$226.92$196.78RVU17C
2017-04-01$226.92$196.78RVU17B
2017-01-01$226.92$196.78RVU17A
2016-10-01$228.78$198.30RVU16D
2016-07-01$228.78$198.30RVU16C
2016-04-01$228.78$198.30RVU16B
2016-01-01$228.78$198.30RVU16A
2015-10-01$230.82$200.23RVU15D
2015-07-01$230.82$200.23RVU15C
2015-04-01$229.67$199.23RVU15B
2015-01-01$229.67$199.23RVU15A
2014-10-01$235.34$205.75RVU14D
2014-07-01$235.34$205.75RVU14C
2014-04-01$235.34$205.75RVU14B
2014-01-01$235.34$205.75RVU14A
2013-10-01$229.59$197.47RVU13D
2013-07-01$229.59$197.47RVU13C
2013-04-01$229.59$197.47RVU13B
2013-01-01$229.59$197.47RVU13AR

Price 32552 for an earlier date of service

Where the Queens, NY rate applies

Queens, NY is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in New York. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in New York

32552 billing questions

How does this differ from 32550?

32552 reports removal of a tunneled pleural catheter with a cuff. 32550 reports insertion of that catheter.

Is pleural fluid aspiration included?

The service is catheter removal, not thoracentesis. A separately performed aspiration is a distinct service and should be documented as such.

Can modifier 50 be used for catheters on both sides?

No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this catheter-removal service.

What documentation supports reporting this code?

Document that the catheter was tunneled and had a cuff, identify the catheter removed, and describe the removal performed.

Are postoperative visits separately reported during the global period?

Related postoperative visits during the 10-day global period are included in the 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 32552PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,731 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Queens, NYGPCI2026.csv, line 81 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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