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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesBlood Products Transfusion ProcedureCPT cpt-0481t-autologous-white-blood-cell-protein-injection
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    CPT 0481T: Autologous White Blood Cell Protein Harvest and Injection

    CPT code 0481T describes a procedure where the provider harvests a patient’s white blood cells, processes them to create a concentrated protein solution, and injects that autologous biologic back into the same patient; the service is a cellular biologic harvesting and injection procedure typically performed in an outpatient surgical or interventional radiology setting and may use imaging guidance during harvesting and/or injection.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dialysis Services (ESRD) Coverage and Provider Requirements, Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Renal Dialysis.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 45–70-year-old adult with a localized musculoskeletal pain condition such as chronic knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or lateral epicondylitis who has persistent pain despite conservative therapies (physical therapy, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections). The provider performs autologous leukocyte-rich plasma therapy in a single visit or staged visits: venous blood is drawn and white blood cells are extracted and concentrated using a bedside processing system; image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) may be used to assist either the harvesting venipuncture or the targeted intra‑articular or peri‑tendinous injection. The typical workflow includes pre‑procedure consent and history, venipuncture and processing in a sterile field, preparation of the injection site, optional local anesthesia, image‑guided placement of the needle into the joint or tendon sheath, injection of the concentrated protein solution back into the same patient, post‑procedure monitoring for immediate adverse effects, and brief follow‑up to assess response and manage complications. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient department, or physician office procedure room depending on the complexity and use of imaging guidance.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20550Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (e.g., plantar "fascia"), corticosteroidMay be performed as an alternative or adjunct when injections into peri‑tendinous structures are indicated and when a standard corticosteroid injection is chosen instead of autologous leukocyte concentration.
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)Performed for diagnostic aspiration or as a simpler injection option; may be performed before or instead of 0481T if only aspiration or medication injection is required.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance; needle placement (e.g., for aspiration, biopsy, injection, localization device), imaging guidanceCommonly used when ultrasound guidance is employed to localize the injection site during harvesting or delivery of the concentrated product.
    77002Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (diagnostic or therapeutic injection procedures)Used when fluoroscopy is the image‑guidance modality for needle placement during injection into joints or spine.
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureRepresents standard blood draw; performed to obtain the autologous blood specimen required to process and produce the concentrated protein solution described by 0481T.
    99024Postoperative follow‑up visit global period not applicableUsed for separate post‑procedure reporting when additional postoperative management is performed outside the global period or when payer requires specific reporting for follow‑up.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    82Modifier 82 is appended to a surgical CPT code to indicate that an attending physician acted as an assistant because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable. In teaching hospitals it documents…- When to use: Append modifier 82 in teaching-hospital settings to indicate a physician served as an assistant surgeon because a qualified resident surgeon was unavailable (includes situations where…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    2084P0800XPsychiatry PhysicianA Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
    363A00000XPhysician AssistantA physician assistant is a person who has successfully completed an accredited education program for physician assistant, is licensed by the state and…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    335U00000XOrgan Procurement OrganizationA federally designated organization that works with hospital personnel in retrieval of organs for transplantation. The federal government designates a…
    2084P0802XAddiction Psychiatry PhysicianAddiction Psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses on evaluation and treatment of individuals with alcohol, drug, or other substance-re…
    2080C0008XChild Abuse Pediatrics PhysicianA Child Abuse Pediatrician serves as a resource to children, families and communities by accurately diagnosing abuse; consulting with community agenci…
    261QE0002XEmergency Care Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dialysis/Renal Replacement1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dialysis Services (ESRD) Coverage and Provider RequirementsMississippi Division of Medicaid2026-08-01
    Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intradialytic Parenteral NutritionCentene2026-05-01
    End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Renal Dialysispriority health2026-02-01
    Home Hemodialysis (HHD) — Coverage CriteriaUnitedHealthcare2026-01-01
    Home Hemodialysis (HHD) Coverage Criteriasierra health and life2026-01-01
    Dialysis services (acute and chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)UnitedHealthcare2026-01-01
    Staff-Assisted Home HemodialysisCigna2025-11-15
    Parsabiv (etelcalcetide) Coverage for Secondary HyperparathyroidismMolina Healthcare2025-10-09
    DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin catheter lock) CoverageMass General Brigham Health Plan2025-09-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines — DefenCath (taurolidine/heparin) catheter lockMass General Brigham Health Plan2025-09-01

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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