CPT code 38794 covers percutaneous cannulation of the thoracic duct with administration of medication and removal of the cannula for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. This specialized interventional procedure is significant nationally because it addresses lymphatic system anomalies and enables targeted delivery of agents for diagnosis or treatment, often managed by interventional radiologists or surgeons in hospital-based settings.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, comparisons of payer coverage approaches, common modifiers seen on claims, and operational benchmarks where available. The publication also outlines coding implications for service lines that commonly bill this procedure and highlights items for billing compliance and documentation clarity.

This summary is intended for national audiences seeking a clear understanding of the clinical service represented by CPT code 38794, its relevance to hospital and interventional service lines, and the payer landscape that affects authorization, coverage, and claims processing.