Summary & Overview
CPT 38225: T Lymphocyte Collection for CAR–T Therapy
CPT code 38225 identifies apheresis-based collection of T lymphocytes intended as the cellular starting material for CAR–T therapy. This procedure is a critical step in many autologous cellular immunotherapies for hematologic malignancies and solid-tumor investigational approaches, linking hospital-based or specialty infusion services with advanced cell-processing laboratories. Nationally, 38225 matters because it interfaces clinical oncology care, specialized durable medical equipment (apheresis systems), and complex care coordination for high-cost, high-acuity therapies.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for 38225, typical sites of service, and payer relevance. The publication also covers benchmark concepts and common billing modifiers in scope, evolving coverage considerations for cell therapy workflows, and operational implications for facilities that perform CAR–T cell collection. Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where applicable. The goal is to provide clinicians, billing professionals, and policy stakeholders a concise reference on what CPT code 38225 represents, why it is operationally important, and what to expect in payer coverage and care settings at a national level.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 38225 describes a procedure in which a provider uses specialized apheresis equipment to withdraw blood from a patient and isolate T lymphocytes (white blood cells) for use in CAR–T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy. This process extracts and concentrates the patient’s T cells as the starting material for subsequent ex vivo modification and reinfusion.
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Service type: Cell collection / therapeutic apheresis for cellular therapy
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, specialty infusion center, or certified apheresis center where CAR–T cell collections and associated processing are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult with relapsed or refractory B‑cell malignancy being evaluated for chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell (CAR–T) therapy. The patient presents to an outpatient apheresis unit or hospital infusion center after multidisciplinary review confirms eligibility. Pre‑procedure steps include informed consent, review of current medications (notably holding agents that impair lymphocyte collection), baseline labs (CBC with differential, coagulation studies), venous access assessment, and vital signs. On the day of service, a clinical apheresis nurse and physician supervise peripheral venous or central venous access placement if needed. The provider uses specialized apheresis equipment to perform leukapheresis, withdrawing whole blood, separating and collecting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (T lymphocytes), and returning the remaining blood components to the patient. Collected cells are labeled, processed per the cellular therapy lab chain‑of‑custody protocols, and shipped for ex vivo T‑cell modification. Post‑procedure monitoring includes hemodynamic observation, CBC reassessment, and management of access site bleeding or vasovagal symptoms. Typical site of service is an outpatient apheresis center, hospital outpatient infusion center, or inpatient apheresis suite when clinical status requires admission. The service type is therapeutic/collection procedure for cell procurement for CAR–T manufacturing.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Use when no modifier applies and single procedure is reported |