Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

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

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: 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.