CPT 0901T: Bone Marrow Sampling Port Placement

CPT code 0901T reports the placement of a bone marrow sampling port, an implanted device that facilitates repeated bone marrow sampling without multiple needle insertions. Nationally, this code captures a niche but clinically important service for patients who require serial marrow assessments, such as those undergoing hematologic disease monitoring or long-term oncologic care. Proper coding of 0901T affects facility and professional payment, care coordination, and tracking of implantable access procedures.

Key payers included in this coverage analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of coverage considerations and typical sites of service, benchmarking context where available, and the clinical setting in which this procedure is used. The publication outlines coding context, common modifiers associated with surgical implantation procedures, and practical billing notes relevant to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.

This summary provides national-level context for providers, coders, and billing administrators seeking to understand where CPT code 0901T fits within procedural portfolios for hematology and oncology care, and what to expect in terms of payer engagement and service delivery settings. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable in detailed sections.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 0901T describes the placement of a bone marrow sampling port, a surgically implanted device that enables repeated bone marrow sampling without repeated percutaneous needle insertions. The service typically involves creation of a subcutaneous port pocket and catheter placement with fixation of the port to allow future access through the skin for marrow aspiration or biopsy.

Service type: Implantation of a long-term sampling port for bone marrow access
Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or operating room setting where minor surgical implants are performed

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient with a history of unexplained cytopenias and suspected myelodysplastic syndrome is referred to interventional hematology for placement of a bone marrow sampling port. The procedure is scheduled in an outpatient surgical suite under monitored anesthesia care. Pre-procedure evaluation includes review of coagulation studies, current anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications, and skin exam at the planned access site. The provider performs sterile prep and local anesthesia, uses ultrasound (and fluoroscopy if needed) to identify an appropriate subcutaneous pocket—commonly over the anterior chest or proximal femur—and advances the port catheter into the marrow space. The port is secured in a subcutaneous pocket and the incision closed. Post-procedure, the patient is observed for hemostasis and port function is tested by aspiration and saline flush. The port allows repeated bone marrow aspirations for diagnostic monitoring (for example, serial bone marrow biopsies, flow cytometry, cytogenetics) without repeated percutaneous needle insertions. Billing is for placement of the bone marrow sampling port using 0901T and documentation includes indication, procedural steps, imaging guidance used, anesthesia, estimated blood loss, and post-procedure instructions.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work or complexity substantially exceeds usual for and documentation supports the increased effort.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`2080P0206X`	Hematology	Hematologists commonly order and perform bone marrow sample procedures and coordinate serial sampling.
`2080P0800X`	Hematology/Oncology	Hematology-oncology physicians manage malignant and pre-malignant marrow disorders and may place or supervise port placement.
`207K00000X`	Interventional Radiology	Interventional radiologists frequently perform image-guided port placements using ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
`208100000X`	Hospitalist	Hospitalists may coordinate inpatient placement when indicated for serial sampling during hospitalization.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`D46.9`	Myelodysplastic syndrome, unspecified	Common indication for recurrent bone marrow evaluation and placement of a sampling port for serial biopsies.
`D61.9`	Aplastic anemia, unspecified	Patients requiring repeated marrow assessment for marrow failure etiology and monitoring.
`C91.00`	Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, not having achieved remission	Malignant marrow processes that require serial marrow sampling for staging and treatment response.
`C92.00`	Acute myeloblastic leukemia, not having achieved remission	Active leukemia where multiple marrow aspirates are obtained for diagnosis and monitoring.
`D72.8`	Other specified disorders of white blood cells	Hematologic abnormalities that may prompt repeated marrow evaluation with a sampling port.
`R68.89`	Other general symptoms and signs	Non-specific symptoms prompting marrow evaluation when clinical picture requires repeated access.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`10022`	Fine needle aspiration; without imaging guidance	Alternative diagnostic specimen collection; may be used when less invasive marrow sampling is attempted prior to port placement.
`36561`	Insertion of tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump	Related central venous access procedure; used for long-term vascular access when intravascular access rather than marrow port is required.
`76942`	Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration), imaging supervision and interpretation	Used during `0901T` when ultrasound guidance is employed to aid safe port placement and should be billed when criteria met.
`77002`	Fluoroscopic guidance for placement of radiopaque foreign body	Fluoroscopy guidance code that may be used when X-ray/fluoroscopic imaging assists correct positioning of the bone marrow sampling port.

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Summary & Overview