32960 Therapeutic pneumothorax
Also known as: artificial pneumothorax, therapeutic collapse, pneumothorax induction
Therapeutic pneumothorax, the surgical instillation of air or gas into the pleural space to collapse the lung. Used historically for tuberculosis treatment.
In Plain Language
surgical creation of air pocket in chest to collapse lung
Clinical Context
Historically used for tuberculosis therapy; rarely performed now due to effective antimicrobial agents. May still be used in select chronic empyema or difficult-to-manage pleural infections.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 1.79 |
| Total RVU | 1.79 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 1.79, this code ranks in the 12th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.5x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 32960?
CPT 32960 (Therapeutic pneumothorax) is a Surgery code. Therapeutic pneumothorax, the surgical instillation of air or gas into the pleural space to collapse the lung. Used historically for tuberculosis treatment.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 32960?
The work RVU for CPT 32960 is 1.79. This code is primarily used by Thoracic Surgery, Infectious Disease.
When is CPT 32960 used?
Historically used for tuberculosis therapy; rarely performed now due to effective antimicrobial agents. May still be used in select chronic empyema or difficult-to-manage pleural infections.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.