CPT code 32851 represents single-lung replacement performed without cardiopulmonary bypass using a donor lung from a cadaver or living donor. This high-complexity surgical code captures a critical, resource-intensive organ transplant procedure with major implications for hospital surgical services, transplant programs, and national organ allocation policy. The code is relevant to inpatient surgical billing and postoperative care pathways.

Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service setting, payer coverage patterns and benchmarks where available, common modifiers and billing considerations, and related coding references. The content summarizes typical sites of service and the nature of the procedure, highlights policy and reimbursement factors that commonly affect transplant billing, and outlines areas where payers often apply prior authorization, medical necessity review, or bundled payment arrangements.

This publication is intended for billing professionals, transplant program administrators, and policy analysts seeking a national-level briefing on coding, billing context, and payer engagement for single-lung transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass.