CPT code 38572 denotes a laparoscopic pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy: a minimally invasive procedure to visualize and excise pelvic lymph nodes bilaterally and to inspect and remove diseased aortic (para-aortic) nodes. This procedure is clinically significant in staging and local control of cancers that can spread via pelvic and para-aortic lymphatics, and it affects surgical pathways, hospital resource use, and postoperative surveillance nationally.

Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The summary addresses coverage patterns and administrative considerations across these major payers.

Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical service and typical sites of service, an overview of payer coverage patterns and common billing modifiers, and context for how the code is used in surgical oncology workflows. The publication also provides benchmarks and policy-relevant notes where available. Data not provided in the input — such as specific reimbursement rates, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 pairings — are noted as not available.