32035 Thoracostomy Medicare reimbursement rates in New Jersey

The surgeon removes a portion of a rib while creating an opening into the chest to drain empyema, a collection of infected material in the pleural space. This is a more extensive operation than placing a chest tube and is typically performed by a thoracic surgeon in a facility operating room for a patient who needs surgical drainage.

Report the code when the operative documentation supports both the thoracostomy and rib resection for empyema. A tube placed for pleural drainage alone, or an open-flap drainage approach, represents a different service. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, which includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard multiple procedure reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.