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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Use Specific Codes for Transplant Preparation

Published on Thu Jan 12, 2006

Question: When our hematopathologist works with oncologists for stem cell services, we've always reported G0267 for modification of harvested stem cells. But one payer recently sent back a denial. The company said we should use CPT codes instead. Which CPT codes should we use for transplant preparation?


Maine Subscriber
Answer: There are six codes you should use to replace G0267 as your payer requests: 38210-38215. Unlike general code G0267 (Bone marrow or peripheral stem cell harvest, modification or treatment to eliminate cell type[s] [e.g., T-cells, metastatic carcinoma]), each of these codes describes a specific modification procedure. Use this list to keep track of which codes to assign in place of G0267 based on the services you provide:

• 38210--Transplant preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells; specific cell depletion within harvest, T-cell depletion

• 38211--... tumor cell depletion

• 38212--... red blood cell removal

• 38213--... platelet depletion

• 38214--... plasma (volume) depletion

• 38215--... cell concentration in plasma, mononuclear, or buffy coat layer
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