CPT code 47143 covers the backbench standard preparation of a cadaver donor liver for transplantation, a critical step in the organ transplant process. This surgical preparatory service readies the liver by removing the gallbladder if needed, clearing surrounding soft tissues, and preparing the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct. The code specifies that the liver is not split into multiple grafts. Nationally, standardized reporting for donor organ preparation supports transplant program quality, inter-facility coordination, and accurate billing for peri-transplant services.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context about the procedure and where it is typically performed, along with operational and billing implications relevant to transplant centers and hospital surgical services. The content outlines common modifiers associated with transplant-related procedures and notes where data is available or missing. The publication aims to inform billing professionals, hospital administrators, and transplant program staff about coding scope, clinical definitions tied to the code, and the high-level areas to consider when documenting and submitting claims for donor liver preparation.