2025 CPT code 32608
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Surgery Feed
Thoracoscopy with diagnostic biopsy(ies) of lung nodule(s) or mass(es) (e.g., wedge, incisional), unilateral.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., modifier 59 for a distinct procedural service if additional services were performed).Consult the CPT manual and payer guidelines for specific modifier usage.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of suspicious lung nodules or masses requiring tissue diagnosis to guide further treatment.Clinical indication may include evaluation of suspected lung cancer, infections, or other lung pathologies.
The surgeon is responsible for all aspects of the procedure, including prepping the patient, inserting the thoracoscope, obtaining biopsies, placing a chest tube, and closing the incisions. They may direct the anesthesiologist to manage lung collapse and ventilation during the procedure.
In simple words: The doctor uses a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions in the chest to take samples of lung nodules or masses for testing. A chest tube is placed to help drain fluid.This is done to check for cancer or other problems.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) involving diagnostic biopsy(ies) of one or more lung nodules or masses in a single lung, utilizing techniques such as wedge or incisional resection.The procedure includes thoracoscopic examination, biopsy acquisition, and placement of a chest tube for drainage. Multiple biopsies from the same lung during a single session are included under this code.This code should not be reported if a more extensive lung resection is performed in the same session on the same lung.
Example 1: A 60-year-old male presents with a suspicious lung nodule detected on CT scan.A VATS biopsy is performed using code 32608 to obtain tissue for pathology evaluation to determine if the nodule is malignant., A 72-year-old female with a history of lung cancer has multiple nodules detected in her right lung.A VATS procedure is performed using code 32608 to obtain biopsies of multiple nodules in the same lung., A 45-year-old male is diagnosed with a lung mass and undergoes VATS, which reveals multiple smaller nodules in the same lung.Code 32608 is reported for the biopsy of these additional nodules.
Detailed operative report including approach (VATS), number and location of biopsies, tissue type obtained, intraoperative findings, placement and removal of chest tube, and pathology report. Preoperative imaging (CT scan, etc.) should also be documented.
** This code is specific to unilateral lung biopsies.Bilateral biopsies would require separate coding.Always refer to the most current CPT codebook and payer guidelines for accurate coding practices.
- Revenue Code: P8I (ENDOSCOPY - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided text.
- Global Days: Information not available in provided text.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided text.
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Thoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center