Summary & Overview
CPT 32855: Preparation of Single Donor Lung for Transplant
CPT code 32855 represents the preparation of a single donor lung for transplant, a discrete intraoperative service that precedes implantation. This code captures the technical and surgical steps necessary to ready a donor lung for transplantation and is relevant nationally given the critical role of lung transplantation in treating end-stage pulmonary disease. Proper coding supports accurate clinical documentation, quality measurement, and payment for transplant centers.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find context on where this procedure is typically performed (operating room/transplant surgical suite), how the code fits into the organ procurement and transplant service line, and which payers commonly cover transplant-related services. The analysis highlights billing benchmarks, common modifier usage where applicable, and clinical context surrounding donor lung preparation.
The publication provides practical reference material for billing teams, compliance staff, and clinical coders: an overview of the code definition, expected setting of service, payer coverage landscape, and indicators for documentation that support correct application of CPT code 32855. Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 32855 describes the preparation of a single donor lung for transplant into the patient. This service involves the surgical and technical steps required to ready a donor lung for implantation, typically including trimming, inspection, and any intraoperative preparation necessary prior to transplant.
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Service type: Organ procurement and transplant preparation
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Typical site of service: Operating room or transplant surgical suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 55-year-old patient with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis is scheduled to receive a single-lung transplant. The organ procurement team and the transplant surgeon coordinate to procure, inspect, and prepare the donor lung for implantation. In the operating room, after donor lung arrival and recipient preparation under general anesthesia, the transplant surgeon performs donor lung preparation which includes evaluating pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature, trimming or shaping of bronchial and vascular cuffs, ensuring appropriate length of pulmonary artery and veins, irrigating and de-airing conduits as needed, and confirming size and orientation for implantation. Specimen handling and documentation are completed, and the organ is handed off to the implantation team for the recipient procedure. The typical workflow involves preoperative donor assessment, organ transport, intraoperative preparation (32855), and immediate transition to recipient implantation steps in a tertiary care hospital with cardiothoracic surgical capability.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier - standard service | Use when no modifier is applicable to the procedure |
22 |