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CPT code 32556: Pleural catheter, without imaging guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Percutaneous placement of an indwelling pleural drainage catheter without imaging guidance when ongoing drainage is needed rather than a single aspiration.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $979.83 for 32556 in the office and $120.90 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$979.83Office (non-facility)
$120.90Hospital or facility
+16.5%vs the national office rate ($841.03)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32556 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 32556 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 32556 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 32556 covers

This service places a catheter percutaneously into the pleural space and leaves it in place for drainage, without imaging guidance. It is used to drain pleural fluid or air when a catheter is needed rather than a one-time needle aspiration. Pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and other physicians who manage pleural disease may perform it at the bedside or in a procedure setting. The method and documentation should support that the catheter was inserted into the pleural space and that imaging guidance was not used.

Report 32556 for the catheter placement, not for a thoracentesis that removes fluid without leaving a catheter. Document the indication, side, catheter placement, and whether imaging guidance was used; imaging-guided placement is represented by 32557. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted, and co-surgeon and team-surgery payment 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 32556

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32556 runs from $729.69 in Arkansas to $1,174.52 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $979.83. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32556 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$979.83
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$976.96−$2.87
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$890.56−$89.27
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$861.35−$118.48
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$974.54−$5.29
  6. Alaska · Alaska$924.80−$55.03
  7. Alabama · Alabama$742.27−$237.56

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

Every other payment area

32556 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$729.69$103.36
ArizonaArizona$816.09$109.55
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$909.48$110.34
Chico, CACalifornia$908.41$109.28
El Centro, CACalifornia$908.48$109.34
Fresno, CACalifornia$908.41$109.28
Hanford, CACalifornia$908.41$109.28
Madera, CACalifornia$908.41$109.28

32556 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.

$729.69

$1,041.47

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

View every state and territory as a table
32556 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$924.801
AL$742.271
AR$729.691
AZ$816.091
CA$908.41–$1,174.5229
CO$887.131
CT$902.791
DC$979.831
DE$831.231
FL$814.38–$890.563
GA$762.71–$855.722
GU$938.201
HI$938.201
IA$770.071
ID$774.751
IL$782.99–$871.324
IN$780.141
KS$763.181
KY$757.051
LA$754.59–$798.632
MA$879.43–$987.972
MD$849.80–$979.833
ME$776.59–$829.752
MI$777.62–$823.362
MN$854.001
MO$737.60–$805.193
MS$733.951
MT$841.011
NC$786.511
ND$833.691
NE$775.821
NH$870.121
NJ$914.23–$966.562
NM$781.501
NV$839.721
NY$800.01–$998.065
OH$776.131
OK$758.331
OR$834.38–$922.112
PA$779.09–$875.522
PR$849.071
RI$865.911
SC$782.401
SD$832.831
TN$767.321
TX$772.91–$883.138
UT$794.941
VA$824.70–$979.832
VI$849.071
VT$827.461
WA$878.74–$1,012.462
WI$801.101
WV$748.481
WY$837.821

See 32556 in every payment locality

How the 32556 rate is calculated

Each of 32556’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 · 32556

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work2.44

2.44 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense22.37

22.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.37

0.37 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

25.1800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$841.03

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

3,735

Code
32556
Physician work
2.44
Practice expense
22.37
Malpractice
0.37

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 32556 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work2.44× 1.0542.5718
Practice expense22.37× 1.17826.3519
Malpractice0.37× 1.1130.4118
Total RVUs29.3354
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$979.83

Office: (2.44 × 1.054 + 22.37 × 1.178 + 0.37 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $979.83

Facility: (2.44 × 1.054 + 0.54 × 1.178 + 0.37 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $120.90

Open 32556 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 32556

The CMS indicators that decide how 32556 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 32556

Pleural catheter, without imaging guidance

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
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 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

32556 without 50 · national office

$841.03

Pleural catheter, without imaging guidance

32556-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,261.55

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 32556

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

Codes related to 32556
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
32557Pleural catheter, with imaging guidancePleural catheter placement when imaging guidance is used.$750.01
Used instead
32554Thoracentesis, without imaging guidancePleural aspiration without imaging, without placement of an indwelling catheter.$299.11
32555Thoracentesis, with imaging guidancePleural aspiration with imaging, without placement of an indwelling catheter.$356.68
32550Pleural catheter, tunneled catheter with cuffPlacement of a tunneled pleural catheter for a different drainage approach.$906.13
32551Chest tube, open thoracostomyChest tube thoracostomy rather than percutaneous indwelling catheter placement.No office rate

How 32556 has changed in Washington, DC area

32556 · Office / nonfacility

$979.83

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $167.08 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $812.75 to $979.83 (20.6%).

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

    $812.75changed to$979.83

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 2.50 changed to 2.44
    • Practice expense RVU 18.49 changed to 22.37
    • Malpractice RVU 0.38 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $865.37changed to$812.75

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 19.23 changed to 18.49
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.38

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $851.25changed to$865.37

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $905.45changed to$851.25

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 19.48 changed to 19.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.35 changed to 0.37
    • 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

    $969.11changed to$905.45

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 20.19 changed to 19.48
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.35
    • 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

    $938.29changed to$969.11

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 19.31 changed to 20.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $824.49changed to$938.29

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 16.27 changed to 19.31
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.30
    • 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

    $742.22changed to$824.49

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 14.63 changed to 16.27
    • 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

    $675.88changed to$742.22

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 13.13 changed to 14.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.27 changed to 0.28

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $665.97changed to$675.88

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 12.93 changed to 13.13
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.27
    • 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

    $649.99changed to$665.97

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 12.63 changed to 12.93
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.28
    • 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

    $669.33changed to$649.99

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 12.98 changed to 12.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.28 changed to 0.24

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $666.00changed to$669.33

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $637.90changed to$666.00

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 12.39 changed to 12.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.28
    • 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

    $702.08changed to$637.90

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 14.80 changed to 12.39
    • Malpractice RVU 0.25 changed to 0.24
    • 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: $702.08

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$979.83$120.90RVU26D
2026-07-01$979.83$120.90RVU26C
2026-04-01$979.83$120.90RVU26B
2026-01-01$979.83$120.90RVU26A
2025-10-01$812.75$131.06RVU25D
2025-07-01$812.75$131.06RVU25C
2025-04-01$812.75$131.06RVU25B
2025-01-01$812.75$131.06RVU25A
2024-10-01$865.37$133.69RVU24D
2024-07-01$865.37$133.69RVU24C
2024-04-01$865.37$133.69RVU24B
2024-03-09$865.37$133.69RVU24AR
2024-01-01$851.25$131.51RVU24A
2023-10-01$905.45$136.97RVU23D
2023-07-01$905.45$136.97RVU23C
2023-04-01$905.45$136.97RVU23B
2023-01-01$905.45$136.97RVU23A
2022-10-01$969.11$140.16RVU22D
2022-07-01$969.11$140.16RVU22C
2022-04-01$969.11$140.16RVU22B
2022-01-01$969.11$140.16RVU22A
2021-10-01$938.29$139.99RVU21D
2021-07-01$938.29$139.99RVU21C
2021-04-01$938.29$139.99RVU21B
2021-01-01$938.29$139.99RVU21A
2020-10-01$824.49$141.92RVU20D
2020-07-01$824.49$141.92RVU20C
2020-04-01$824.49$141.92RVU20B
2020-01-01$824.49$141.92RVU20A
2019-10-01$742.22$140.32RVU19D
2019-07-01$742.22$140.32RVU19C
2019-04-01$742.22$140.32RVU19B
2019-01-01$742.22$140.32RVU19A
2018-10-01$675.88$139.71RVU18D
2018-07-01$675.88$139.71RVU18C
2018-04-01$675.88$139.71RVU18B
2018-01-01$675.88$139.71RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$665.97$140.53RVU17D
2017-07-01$665.97$140.53RVU17C
2017-04-01$665.97$140.53RVU17B
2017-01-01$665.97$140.53RVU17A
2016-10-01$649.99$140.88RVU16D
2016-07-01$649.99$140.88RVU16C
2016-04-01$649.99$140.88RVU16B
2016-01-01$649.99$140.88RVU16A
2015-10-01$669.33$141.50RVU15D
2015-07-01$669.33$141.50RVU15C
2015-04-01$666.00$140.80RVU15B
2015-01-01$666.00$140.80RVU15A
2014-10-01$637.90$140.99RVU14D
2014-07-01$637.90$140.99RVU14C
2014-04-01$637.90$140.99RVU14B
2014-01-01$637.90$140.99RVU14A
2013-10-01$702.08$134.30RVU13D
2013-07-01$702.08$134.30RVU13C
2013-04-01$702.08$134.30RVU13B
2013-01-01$702.08$134.30RVU13AR

Price 32556 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

32556 billing questions

How do I choose between 32556 and 32557?

Use 32556 when the indwelling pleural catheter is placed without imaging guidance. Use 32557 when imaging guidance is used for placement.

Can I report 32556 for a thoracentesis?

No. A thoracentesis removes pleural fluid by aspiration without leaving an indwelling catheter; 32554 and 32555 distinguish aspiration without and with imaging guidance.

How is bilateral placement reported?

CMS lists 32556 as bilateral when modifier 50 is used, with payment at 150%. Document the service on each side.

What documentation supports 32556?

Document the clinical indication, the side treated, placement of the catheter in the pleural space, and that imaging guidance was not used.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for this service?

CMS restricts assistant-at-surgery payment for 32556. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

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 32556PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,735 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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