Summary & Overview
CPT 38213: Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Solution Preparation
CPT code 38213 denotes the preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) solutions specifically to reduce residual platelets and prevent clumping. This preparatory step is a component of cellular therapy workflows that supports safe collection, storage, and transplantation of HPC products. Nationally, accurate coding for HPC processing affects facility billing, quality monitoring, and clinical documentation for stem cell and transplant programs.
Key payers in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what the code represents, the clinical context of HPC product handling, typical sites of service, and what to expect in payer coverage and billing practice reviews. The publication outlines common billing modifiers and operational considerations where available; when payer-specific policies are present, they are summarized to clarify prior authorization, bundling, and coverage distinctions.
This material is intended to help coding professionals, billing managers, and clinical administrators understand the role of CPT code 38213 within hematopoietic progenitor cell processing workflows and to locate the sections of the report that cover benchmarks, policy updates, and clinical context.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 38213 describes preparation of a hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) solution to reduce platelet counts and prevent clumping of the HPC product prior to administration or processing. This service focuses on manipulating the collected cellular product to optimize quality and safety for cellular therapy procedures.
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Service type: Cell product preparation / hematopoietic progenitor cell processing
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Typical site of service: Hospital-based laboratory, blood bank, or cellular therapy processing facility
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient scenario involves an adult or pediatric patient undergoing collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) by apheresis for autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The patient may have a diagnosis such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia in remission, or a bone marrow failure disorder and has undergone mobilization with granulocyte‑colony stimulating factor (G‑CSF) with or without chemotherapy. During the apheresis session the collected product requires laboratory processing to reduce platelet numbers and prevent platelet clumping prior to storage, testing, or infusion. A transfusion medicine or apheresis nurse/technologist prepares the HPC solution in a clean laboratory or blood bank environment. The workflow: patient arrives to the apheresis unit, vascular access is confirmed (peripheral or central), apheresis collection is performed, the collected bag is transported to the cell processing area, a trained provider performs platelet reduction and clump prevention procedures (sedimentation, centrifugation, filtration, or validated platelet‑reduction methods), final product labeling and QC testing are completed, and the processed HPC product is either returned to the clinical unit for infusion or moved to cryopreservation. Typical site of service is an outpatient apheresis center, hospital blood bank/cell processing lab, or ambulatory infusion center depending on institutional setup. Common clinical roles involved include hematologist/oncologist, transfusion medicine physician, apheresis nurse/technologist, and cell processing laboratory staff.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 |