Summary & Overview
CPT 38214: Preparation of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells with Minimal Plasma Volume
CPT code 38214 denotes preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) resulting in a product with minimal plasma volume, a step intended to concentrate cells and reduce infusion volume during transplantation. This code is relevant nationally for transplant centers, hospital laboratories, and payers as cellular therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation continue to be central to hematology-oncology care. Typical claim activity involves hospital-based or specialized cellular therapy lab settings where processing occurs prior to infusion.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for the service, where it is typically performed, and what the code represents. The publication outlines reimbursement benchmarks and payer coverage patterns where available, highlights relevant billing and documentation considerations for claims involving cellular product preparation, and summarizes policy developments that affect coverage and payment for HPC processing. Clinical context explains why minimal plasma volume products are used and how the preparation supports transplantation logistics and patient management. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 38214 describes the preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) to produce a product with minimal residual plasma volume. This procedure is performed to concentrate HPCs into a smaller-volume solution to facilitate transplantation.
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Service type: Cell product preparation / processing
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Typical site of service: Hospital or specialized cellular therapy laboratory setting where HPC processing and preparation for transplantation are performed.
Data not available in the input for payers, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 48-year-old patient with relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma is scheduled to receive an autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplant. The patient undergoes mobilization with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and outpatient apheresis to collect HPCs. The collected graft is transported to the hospital blood bank or cellular therapy laboratory where the transplant team prepares the product. The provider performs 38214 to remove residual plasma volume from the HPC suspension, producing a concentrated cell product for infusion. This volume-reduced product facilitates administration through limited-volume central venous access, reduces fluid overload risk in patients with cardiac or renal comorbidities, and optimizes engraftment conditions. Typical workflow steps include receipt of the collected HPC bag, verification of patient and product identifiers, aseptic processing (centrifugation or plasma reduction technique), final product testing and documentation, labeling, and return of the prepared product for transplantation. Typical site of service is a hospital-based blood bank, transplant center, or accredited cellular therapy laboratory supporting inpatient or outpatient transplant procedures.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier; default billing status | Use when no specific modifier applies to the service. |