CPT code 32561: Pleural fibrinolysis, initial day2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in North Dakota
Reports initial-day instillation of a fibrinolytic through a chest tube or catheter to help clear a loculated pleural fluid collection.
In North Dakota, Medicare pays $98.23 for 32561 in the office and $57.15 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32561 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 32561 covers
A physician or other qualified practitioner instills a fibrinolytic agent, such as alteplase, through a chest tube or pleural catheter to help break down fibrin in a loculated pleural collection. This treatment may be used for a complex effusion or empyema when fluid is divided by fibrinous septations. It is performed in settings where the patient can receive care through the pleural drain; the code describes the instillation, not placement of the tube or catheter.
Report 32561 for the initial treatment day. For a later treatment day, use the subsequent-day code 32562 rather than reporting another initial-day service. Documentation should identify the pleural indication, the fibrinolytic administered, the catheter route, and the treatment date. The service has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and the others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. An assistant at surgery may be 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 North Dakota compares for 32561
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32561 runs from $91.62 in Arkansas to $126.32 in San Benito County, CA. North Dakota pays $98.23. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- North Dakota · this page$98.23
- Los Angeles, CA · California$110.67+$12.44
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$113.26+$15.03
- Miami, FL · Florida$110.95+$12.72
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$108.26+$10.03
- Manhattan, NY · New York$115.27+$17.04
- Alaska · Alaska$124.97+$26.74
Other areas in North Dakota first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $92.68 | $56.74 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $91.62 | $56.33 |
| ArizonaArizona | $98.91 | $59.10 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $104.98 | $59.96 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $104.55 | $59.52 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $117.75 | $63.60 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $109.83 | $61.27 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $106.16 | $61.13 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $108.79 | $61.01 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $108.36 | $60.75 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $110.22 | $61.09 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $123.63 | $65.70 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $123.45 | $65.53 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $126.32 | $67.08 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $125.62 | $66.38 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $106.71 | $59.92 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $110.75 | $60.83 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $108.58 | $60.68 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $111.82 | $61.37 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $117.50 | $63.35 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $104.53 | $59.50 |
| ColoradoColorado | $103.90 | $60.19 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $107.07 | $62.83 |
| DelawareDelaware | $100.32 | $59.73 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $105.91 | $64.30 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $101.49 | $62.22 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $103.16 | $61.42 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $96.68 | $60.04 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $106.05 | $59.34 |
| IowaIowa | $93.87 | $56.28 |
| IdahoIdaho | $94.50 | $56.71 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $102.22 | $64.43 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $99.61 | $62.10 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $106.76 | $64.57 |
| IndianaIndiana | $94.92 | $56.84 |
| KansasKansas | $93.85 | $56.71 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $95.14 | $58.62 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $98.89 | $60.23 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $95.16 | $58.80 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $112.37 | $63.31 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $103.61 | $60.34 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $106.83 | $62.74 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $101.86 | $60.28 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $95.25 | $57.45 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $98.90 | $58.19 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $102.86 | $63.22 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $97.43 | $59.93 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $99.15 | $56.88 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $97.99 | $59.42 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $98.78 | $59.67 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $94.07 | $58.65 |
| MississippiMississippi | $92.84 | $57.47 |
| MontanaMontana | $101.19 | $60.11 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $95.99 | $57.66 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $94.18 | $56.26 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $102.66 | $59.89 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $112.53 | $64.87 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $108.18 | $63.32 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $98.00 | $60.32 |
| NevadaNevada | $100.42 | $59.29 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $118.00 | $69.15 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $109.12 | $64.14 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $115.57 | $67.01 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $97.18 | $58.15 |
| OhioOhio | $96.83 | $59.32 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $94.66 | $57.97 |
| Portland, OROregon | $106.28 | $60.64 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $99.51 | $58.59 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $105.07 | $62.30 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $96.77 | $59.05 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $101.69 | $60.15 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $103.20 | $60.76 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $96.59 | $58.63 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $97.88 | $56.79 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $94.27 | $56.92 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $103.67 | $60.20 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $96.28 | $58.89 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $100.01 | $59.30 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $100.70 | $59.78 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $100.26 | $59.75 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $100.35 | $59.56 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $103.10 | $62.30 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $98.13 | $59.14 |
| UtahUtah | $97.65 | $59.03 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $98.87 | $58.48 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $101.69 | $60.15 |
| VermontVermont | $98.22 | $57.55 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $103.29 | $60.03 |
| King County, WAWashington | $114.08 | $63.67 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $95.61 | $56.25 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $96.71 | $61.01 |
| WyomingWyoming | $99.90 | $58.82 |
32561 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
$91.62
$124.97
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $124.97 | 1 |
| AL | $92.68 | 1 |
| AR | $91.62 | 1 |
| AZ | $98.91 | 1 |
| CA | $104.53–$126.32 | 29 |
| CO | $103.90 | 1 |
| CT | $107.07 | 1 |
| DC | $113.26 | 1 |
| DE | $100.32 | 1 |
| FL | $101.49–$110.95 | 3 |
| GA | $96.68–$103.16 | 2 |
| GU | $106.05 | 1 |
| HI | $106.05 | 1 |
| IA | $93.87 | 1 |
| ID | $94.50 | 1 |
| IL | $99.61–$108.26 | 4 |
| IN | $94.92 | 1 |
| KS | $93.85 | 1 |
| KY | $95.14 | 1 |
| LA | $95.16–$98.89 | 2 |
| MA | $103.61–$112.37 | 2 |
| MD | $101.86–$113.26 | 3 |
| ME | $95.25–$98.90 | 2 |
| MI | $97.43–$102.86 | 2 |
| MN | $99.15 | 1 |
| MO | $94.07–$98.78 | 3 |
| MS | $92.84 | 1 |
| MT | $101.19 | 1 |
| NC | $95.99 | 1 |
| ND | $98.23 | 1 |
| NE | $94.18 | 1 |
| NH | $102.66 | 1 |
| NJ | $108.18–$112.53 | 2 |
| NM | $98.00 | 1 |
| NV | $100.42 | 1 |
| NY | $97.18–$118.00 | 5 |
| OH | $96.83 | 1 |
| OK | $94.66 | 1 |
| OR | $99.51–$106.28 | 2 |
| PA | $96.77–$105.07 | 2 |
| PR | $101.69 | 1 |
| RI | $103.20 | 1 |
| SC | $96.59 | 1 |
| SD | $97.88 | 1 |
| TN | $94.27 | 1 |
| TX | $96.28–$103.67 | 8 |
| UT | $97.65 | 1 |
| VA | $98.87–$113.26 | 2 |
| VI | $101.69 | 1 |
| VT | $98.22 | 1 |
| WA | $103.29–$114.08 | 2 |
| WI | $95.61 | 1 |
| WV | $96.71 | 1 |
| WY | $99.90 | 1 |
How the 32561 rate is calculated
Each of 32561’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 · 32561
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.36
1.36 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.52
1.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.15
0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
3.0300
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$101.20
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact North Dakota inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,738
- Code
- 32561
- Physician work
- 1.36
- Practice expense
- 1.52
- Malpractice
- 0.15
GPCI2026.csv
84
- Locality
- North Dakota
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.000
- Malpractice
- 0.406
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.36 | × 1.000 | 1.3600 |
| Practice expense | 1.52 | × 1.000 | 1.5200 |
| Malpractice | 0.15 | × 0.406 | 0.0609 |
| Total RVUs | 2.9409 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, North Dakota$98.23
Office: (1.36 × 1 + 1.52 × 1 + 0.15 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $98.23
Facility: (1.36 × 1 + 0.29 × 1 + 0.15 × 0.406) × $33.4009 = $57.15
Payment rules and modifiers for 32561
The CMS indicators that decide how 32561 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 32561
Pleural fibrinolysis, initial day
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
32561 without 51 · national office
$101.20
Pleural fibrinolysis, initial day
32561-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$50.60
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%).
How 32561 has changed in North Dakota
32561 · Office / nonfacility
$98.23
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $8.54 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $89.69 to $98.23 (9.5%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$89.69changed to$98.23
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.39 changed to 1.36
- Practice expense RVU 1.30 changed to 1.52
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
- Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.406
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$91.96changed to$89.69
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 1.29 changed to 1.30
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$90.46changed to$91.96
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$91.85changed to$90.46
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 1.24 changed to 1.29
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
- Malpractice GPCI 0.474 changed to 0.517
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$93.90changed to$91.85
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 1.25 changed to 1.24
- Malpractice GPCI 0.431 changed to 0.474
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$93.33changed to$93.90
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 1.22 changed to 1.25
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.17
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$93.58changed to$93.33
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 1.14 changed to 1.22
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.15
- Malpractice GPCI 0.485 changed to 0.431
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$93.38changed to$93.58
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 1.12 changed to 1.14
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.13
- Malpractice GPCI 0.540 changed to 0.485
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$93.27changed to$93.38
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$92.14changed to$93.27
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.12
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
- Malpractice GPCI 0.547 changed to 0.540
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$92.33changed to$92.14
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 1.10 changed to 1.09
- Malpractice GPCI 0.554 changed to 0.547
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$92.86changed to$92.33
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$92.40changed to$92.86
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$93.26changed to$92.40
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 1.09 changed to 1.10
- Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.17
- Malpractice GPCI 0.536 changed to 0.554
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$92.68changed to$93.26
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 1.21 changed to 1.09
- Malpractice RVU 0.24 changed to 0.23
- Malpractice GPCI 0.517 changed to 0.536
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $92.68
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $98.23 | $57.15 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $98.23 | $57.15 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $98.23 | $57.15 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $98.23 | $57.15 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $89.69 | $61.87 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $89.69 | $61.87 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $89.69 | $61.87 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $89.69 | $61.87 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $91.96 | $63.34 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $91.96 | $63.34 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $91.96 | $63.34 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $91.96 | $63.34 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $90.46 | $62.30 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $91.85 | $64.41 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $91.85 | $64.41 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $91.85 | $64.41 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $91.85 | $64.41 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $93.90 | $65.86 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $93.90 | $65.86 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $93.90 | $65.86 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $93.90 | $65.86 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $93.33 | $66.11 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $93.33 | $66.11 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $93.33 | $66.11 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $93.33 | $66.11 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $93.58 | $67.96 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $93.58 | $67.96 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $93.58 | $67.96 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $93.58 | $67.96 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $93.38 | $68.51 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $93.38 | $68.51 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $93.38 | $68.51 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $93.38 | $68.51 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $93.27 | $68.44 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $93.27 | $68.44 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $93.27 | $68.44 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $93.27 | $68.44 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $92.14 | $68.46 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $92.14 | $68.46 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $92.14 | $68.46 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $92.14 | $68.46 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $92.33 | $68.34 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $92.33 | $68.34 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $92.33 | $68.34 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $92.33 | $68.34 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $92.86 | $68.78 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $92.86 | $68.78 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $92.40 | $68.44 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $92.40 | $68.44 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $93.26 | $69.97 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $93.26 | $69.97 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $93.26 | $69.97 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $93.26 | $69.97 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $92.68 | $67.50 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $92.68 | $67.50 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $92.68 | $67.50 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $92.68 | $67.50 | RVU13AR |
Where the North Dakota rate applies
North Dakota is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 406 cities and communities in North Dakota. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abercrombie
- Adams
- Alamo
- Alexander
- Alice
- Almont
- Alsen
- Ambrose
32561 billing questions
When should 32561 be used instead of 32562?
Use 32561 for the initial day of pleural fibrinolytic treatment. Use 32562 for treatment on a subsequent day.
Does 32561 include placing the chest tube?
No. It reports fibrinolytic instillation through a chest tube or catheter, not insertion of that access device.
What should the record support?
Document the pleural condition being treated, the fibrinolytic agent, its administration through the drain, and whether this is the initial or a subsequent treatment day.
Can modifier 50 be reported?
No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.
How does the 0-day global period affect billing?
Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included in the procedure. Care on a later date is outside that 0-day global period.
Can an assistant or another surgeon be reported?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted for this code.
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
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