Coding Education: Bone Marrow Harvesting for Autologous Transplant

October 5, 2009

Question: Is there a CPT code specific to harvesting bone marrow for autologous transplant?

Answer: Auto- vs. allo- doesn’t change harvest coding. You should report 38230 (Bone marrow harvesting for transplantation) for bone marrow harvesting whether the transplant will be autologous or allogenic.

The autologous vs. allogenic distinction, however, will be important when you code the transplant. You should choose 38241 (Bone marrow or blood-derived peripheral stem cell transplantation; autologous) for an autologous transplant, in which the physician takes stem cells from the patient before chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Following treatment, the patient receives those cells back. You may see this called a “rescue” transplant or “AuSCT.”

If the donor and patient are two separate individuals, you instead should report 38240 (… allogenic) for the transplant.

Hint: “Auto” means “self” and “allo” means “other.” This will help you remember which code describing the harvested tissue’s origin is appropriate.

Check out the agenda for our Oncology & Hematology 2010 Coding Update & Reimbursement Conference. December 6-8 in Orlando.

Related articles:

Get a Grip on Stem-Cell Transplantation Codes If you’re looking for a way to remember all…
Nuclear Medicine Code Crosswalk: Bone Scans If your practice has trouble following which bone scan…
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