Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: We want to be sure we're reporting 38220 correctly when the physician takes more than one aspiration. Should we report multiple units?

Rhode Island Subscriber

Answer: When the physician aspirates more than one needle site (such as the iliac and the sternum), you should report 38220 (Bone marrow; aspiration only) for the first site and 38220-59 (Distinct procedural service) for the second site. This is the method advised by CPT® Assistant (January 2004).

Caution: If the physician takes multiple aspirations from the same insertion site, then CPT® Assistant states you should report 38220 only once. So be sure your documentation clearly indicates more than one needle site before you report 38220 more than once.