2025 CPT code 32667
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Thoracic Surgery Surgery Feed
Add-on code for each additional therapeutic wedge resection of lung mass or nodule performed ipsilaterally during the same operative session via thoracoscopy.
Modifier 59 may be appended if the additional resection is performed on a different lobe than the initial resection, indicating a distinct procedural service. Modifier 50 is used to indicate bilateral procedures (i.e., both lungs).
The medical necessity for therapeutic wedge resection(s) is based on the presence of a lung mass or nodule(s) that requires surgical removal for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The number of additional resections should be medically justified.The justification should be documented in the operative note and should be consistent with current medical standards.
A thoracic surgeon performs this procedure.The surgeon’s responsibilities include making the necessary incisions, inserting the thoracoscope and instruments, performing the wedge resection(s), and ensuring proper hemostasis. Post-operative care and follow-up are also the surgeon's responsibility.
In simple words: This code is used to bill for extra procedures done during a single surgery on the lung. The patient has already had one operation, and the doctor needs to remove more tissue from the same lung. This is for each extra time they remove a wedge of lung tissue.
This CPT code, 32667, is an add-on code used to report each additional therapeutic wedge resection of a lung mass or nodule performed ipsilaterally (on the same side) during the same operative session as a primary procedure.It is used in conjunction with code 32666 (initial unilateral therapeutic wedge resection).This procedure involves the surgical removal of a wedge-shaped section of lung tissue using a thoracoscopic (VATS) approach.The code is only reported in addition to the code for the initial procedure; it should not be reported independently.Specific additional documentation of the additional resection is required for accurate coding.
Example 1: A patient presents with a lung nodule discovered during a routine chest x-ray.A thoracoscopic procedure is performed, revealing two nodules in the same lung lobe.Code 32666 is used for the initial resection and code 32667 is added for the second resection., A patient undergoes a VATS lobectomy for lung cancer. During the procedure, an additional smaller nodule is identified in the same lobe.An additional therapeutic wedge resection is performed. Code 32667 is added to the code representing the lobectomy., A patient has a known lung mass and undergoes a VATS procedure.Multiple small nodules are identified, requiring more than one therapeutic wedge resection in the same lobe of the lung. Code 32666 is reported for the initial wedge resection and 32667 is reported for each additional resection within the same anatomical location (same lobe).
Detailed operative report outlining the need for the initial and subsequent wedge resections.The report should specify the number of additional resections, the anatomical location of each resection (same lobe), and the rationale for performing the procedure(s).
** Always cross-reference with the most recent CPT codebook for any updates or clarifications.Accurate coding necessitates precise documentation of the surgical procedure(s).
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This add-on code does not typically require a technical component (TC) modifier.
- Specialties:Thoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center