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CPT code 32960: Therapeutic pneumothorax, intrapleural air introduction2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports deliberate introduction of air into the pleural space to create a therapeutic pneumothorax, rather than drainage of pleural air or fluid.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality14 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $150.43 for 32960 in the office and $89.05 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$150.43Office (non-facility)
$89.05Hospital or facility
+12.0%vs the national office rate ($134.27)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 32960 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 32960 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 32960 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 32960 covers

This service involves intentionally introducing air into the pleural space to produce a pneumothorax for therapeutic purposes. It is distinct from treating a spontaneous pneumothorax by removing air or placing a drain. The procedure is performed by a physician; documentation should establish the therapeutic intent and describe the pleural intervention. The code is rarely reported in current Medicare practice, so the record should make clear what was done rather than relying only on a diagnosis of pneumothorax.

Report 32960 for the therapeutic induction itself, not for thoracentesis or chest-tube drainage. The minor procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and applies the standard multiple-procedure reduction to the others. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this code. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service; 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 32960

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 32960 runs from $122.05 in Arkansas to $169.23 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $150.43. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

32960 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$150.43
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$147.75−$2.68
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$144.78−$5.65
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$141.53−$8.90
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$152.29+$1.86
  6. Alaska · Alaska$166.43+$16.00
  7. Alabama · Alabama$123.41−$27.02

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

Every other payment area

32960 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$122.05$77.29
ArizonaArizona$131.40$80.91
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$140.12$83.01
Chico, CACalifornia$139.63$82.53
El Centro, CACalifornia$139.66$82.55
Fresno, CACalifornia$139.63$82.53
Hanford, CACalifornia$139.63$82.53
Madera, CACalifornia$139.63$82.53

32960 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.

$122.05

$166.43

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

View every state and territory as a table
32960 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$166.431
AL$123.411
AR$122.051
AZ$131.401
CA$139.63–$169.2329
CO$138.341
CT$141.871
DC$150.431
DE$133.231
FL$133.73–$144.783
GA$127.73–$136.572
GU$141.681
HI$141.681
IA$125.351
ID$126.071
IL$131.05–$141.534
IN$126.621
KS$125.121
KY$126.131
LA$126.07–$130.852
MA$137.89–$149.652
MD$135.29–$150.433
ME$126.82–$131.802
MI$128.87–$135.282
MN$132.761
MO$124.55–$130.953
MS$123.311
MT$134.261
NC$127.811
ND$131.301
NE$125.811
NH$136.491
NJ$143.54–$149.492
NM$129.511
NV$133.501
NY$129.31–$155.525
OH$128.271
OK$125.721
OR$132.51–$141.662
PA$128.30–$139.162
PR$134.961
RI$137.161
SC$128.241
SD$130.941
TN$125.631
TX$127.66–$137.858
UT$129.591
VA$131.62–$150.432
VI$134.961
VT$131.101
WA$137.53–$152.112
WI$127.891
WV$127.331
WY$132.971

See 32960 in every payment locality

How the 32960 rate is calculated

Each of 32960’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 · 32960

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.79

1.79 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.08

2.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.15

0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

4.0200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$134.27

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

3,808

Code
32960
Physician work
1.79
Practice expense
2.08
Malpractice
0.15

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 32960 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.79× 1.0541.8867
Practice expense2.08× 1.1782.4502
Malpractice0.15× 1.1130.1669
Total RVUs4.5038
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$150.43

Office: (1.79 × 1.054 + 2.08 × 1.178 + 0.15 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $150.43

Facility: (1.79 × 1.054 + 0.52 × 1.178 + 0.15 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $89.05

Open 32960 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 32960

The CMS indicators that decide how 32960 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 32960

Therapeutic pneumothorax, intrapleural air introduction

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)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.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

32960 without 51 · national office

$134.27

Therapeutic pneumothorax, intrapleural air introduction

32960-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$67.14

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 32960

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

Codes related to 32960
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Used instead
32551Chest tube, open thoracostomyA chest tube procedure addresses pleural drainage, not deliberate therapeutic air introduction.No office rate
32554Thoracentesis, without imaging guidanceThoracentesis removes pleural fluid; it is not induction of a therapeutic pneumothorax.$299.11
32556Pleural catheter, without imaging guidancePercutaneous pleural catheter drainage is a drainage service, not therapeutic air introduction.$979.83

How 32960 has changed in Washington, DC area

32960 · Office / nonfacility

$150.43

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $12.46 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $137.97 to $150.43 (9.0%).

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

    $137.97changed to$150.43

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.84 changed to 1.79
    • Practice expense RVU 1.79 changed to 2.08
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $141.99changed to$137.97

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 1.80 changed to 1.79
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $139.68changed to$141.99

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $145.34changed to$139.68

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 1.76 changed to 1.80
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $148.20changed to$145.34

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 1.77 changed to 1.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.17
    • 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

    $149.47changed to$148.20

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 1.75 changed to 1.77
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $147.92changed to$149.47

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.64 changed to 1.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $146.44changed to$147.92

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.13
    • 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

    $146.72changed to$146.44

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.64 changed to 1.63

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $148.27changed to$146.72

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.67 changed to 1.64
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $165.50changed to$148.27

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.87 changed to 1.67
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.15
    • 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

    $146.51changed to$165.50

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.63 changed to 1.87
    • Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.34

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $145.78changed to$146.51

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $174.32changed to$145.78

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.04 changed to 1.63
    • Malpractice RVU 0.40 changed to 0.14
    • 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

    $175.16changed to$174.32

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.29 changed to 2.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.42 changed to 0.40
    • 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: $175.16

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$150.43$89.05RVU26D
2026-07-01$150.43$89.05RVU26C
2026-04-01$150.43$89.05RVU26B
2026-01-01$150.43$89.05RVU26A
2025-10-01$137.97$95.56RVU25D
2025-07-01$137.97$95.56RVU25C
2025-04-01$137.97$95.56RVU25B
2025-01-01$137.97$95.56RVU25A
2024-10-01$141.99$97.55RVU24D
2024-07-01$141.99$97.55RVU24C
2024-04-01$141.99$97.55RVU24B
2024-03-09$141.99$97.55RVU24AR
2024-01-01$139.68$95.96RVU24A
2023-10-01$145.34$100.50RVU23D
2023-07-01$145.34$100.50RVU23C
2023-04-01$145.34$100.50RVU23B
2023-01-01$145.34$100.50RVU23A
2022-10-01$148.20$102.00RVU22D
2022-07-01$148.20$102.00RVU22C
2022-04-01$148.20$102.00RVU22B
2022-01-01$148.20$102.00RVU22A
2021-10-01$149.47$103.32RVU21D
2021-07-01$149.47$103.32RVU21C
2021-04-01$149.47$103.32RVU21B
2021-01-01$149.47$103.32RVU21A
2020-10-01$147.92$104.29RVU20D
2020-07-01$147.92$104.29RVU20C
2020-04-01$147.92$104.29RVU20B
2020-01-01$147.92$104.29RVU20A
2019-10-01$146.44$103.89RVU19D
2019-07-01$146.44$103.89RVU19C
2019-04-01$146.44$103.89RVU19B
2019-01-01$146.44$103.89RVU19A
2018-10-01$146.72$104.21RVU18D
2018-07-01$146.72$104.21RVU18C
2018-04-01$146.72$104.21RVU18B
2018-01-01$146.72$104.21RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$148.27$105.89RVU17D
2017-07-01$148.27$105.89RVU17C
2017-04-01$148.27$105.89RVU17B
2017-01-01$148.27$105.89RVU17A
2016-10-01$165.50$115.45RVU16D
2016-07-01$165.50$115.45RVU16C
2016-04-01$165.50$115.45RVU16B
2016-01-01$165.50$115.45RVU16A
2015-10-01$146.51$104.51RVU15D
2015-07-01$146.51$104.51RVU15C
2015-04-01$145.78$103.99RVU15B
2015-01-01$145.78$103.99RVU15A
2014-10-01$174.32$118.34RVU14D
2014-07-01$174.32$118.34RVU14C
2014-04-01$174.32$118.34RVU14B
2014-01-01$174.32$118.34RVU14A
2013-10-01$175.16$114.83RVU13D
2013-07-01$175.16$114.83RVU13C
2013-04-01$175.16$114.83RVU13B
2013-01-01$175.16$114.83RVU13AR

Price 32960 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

32960 billing questions

How is 32960 different from a chest tube procedure?

32960 describes deliberate introduction of air to create a therapeutic pneumothorax. A chest tube procedure addresses pleural drainage or evacuation, so select the code that matches the documented service.

Can 32960 be reported with same-day preoperative or postoperative care?

The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care for the procedure.

Should modifier 50 be added when both sides are treated?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be billed?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for 32960, and co-surgeons are not permitted. Team surgery is also not permitted.

What documentation supports reporting 32960?

Document the therapeutic intent, the deliberate introduction of air into the pleural space, and the procedure performed. A diagnosis of pneumothorax alone does not establish that this service was provided.

How does Medicare handle 32960 when another procedure is performed in the same session?

Under the standard multiple-procedure reduction, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and the other procedures are subject to the reduction.

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 32960PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,808 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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