Summary & Overview
CPT 38208: Thaw Preparation of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells
CPT code 38208 covers the clinical service of managing and preparing previously frozen hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) for transplantation by thawing donor cells without washing away cryoprotectant. This procedure is central to autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation workflows and affects transplant program operations, supply chain for cell storage, and billing for cellular therapy services nationwide. Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical procedure and expected sites of service, followed by payer coverage patterns and common billing considerations. The publication summarizes available national benchmarks where present, highlights relevant policy and coverage updates that influence payment and prior authorization requirements, and situates CPT code 38208 within the broader clinical context of hematopoietic cell transplantation. Operational impacts for transplant programs, including workflow implications of thaw-only preparation versus washed products, are also discussed. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 38208 describes the management of preparing already frozen and stored hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) for transplantation. The provider thaws each donor's cells without washing to remove the cryoprotective solution, facilitating direct use of thawed graft material for infusion.
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Service type: Preparation of thawed hematopoietic progenitor cells for transplantation
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient transplant unit, specialty infusion center, or cellular therapy laboratory
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old patient with relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma is scheduled to receive an autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) infusion previously collected and cryopreserved. On the day of transplantation the cellular therapy team retrieves the frozen product from controlled storage, performs product verification and identification checks, transports the unit to the transplant procedure area, and the provider performs 38208 by thawing the donor’s (autologous) cells at bedside or in a controlled laboratory environment. The workflow includes: review of transplant consent and matching, bedside or lab thaw using validated thawing equipment, post-thaw inspection and labeling, coordination with the infusion nursing team, bedside product handoff, and documentation of thaw time, temperature, and product identifiers. Typical site of service is an inpatient or outpatient transplant unit, bone marrow transplant center, or hospital-based ambulatory infusion center with cellular therapy facilities. The patient typically has pre-transplant conditioning completed and is monitored for infusion-related reactions immediately following cell administration.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when only the physician professional component of a service is reported separate from technical work performed by the facility (rare for ). |