Summary & Overview
CPT 47144: Backbench Liver Preparation for Transplant
CPT code 47144 designates a backbench standard preparation of a cadaver donor liver performed prior to transplantation, including gallbladder removal when needed, removal of surrounding soft tissues, preparation of the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery and common bile duct, and separation of left and right hepatic segments to produce two allografts. This procedure is a critical step in multi-organ donation and liver transplant workflows and has implications for operative planning, OR resource allocation, and transplant program reporting nationally.
Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical procedure and service setting, followed by benchmarks and payer coverage considerations, common billing modifiers and coding context, and operational implications for transplant centers. The publication highlights the clinical scope of the code, typical site of service, and practical coding issues that affect claim submission and hospital billing for liver procurement and division into dual allografts.
This summary is intended for transplant program administrators, hospital coding and billing staff, and payers seeking clarity on the procedural definition and billing context of CPT code 47144 at a national level. Data not available in the input include associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes, related CPT codes, and service line detail.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 47144 describes a backbench standard preparation of a cadaver donor liver in advance of transplantation. The procedure includes removal of the gallbladder when needed, excision of surrounding soft tissues, and preparation of the major vascular and biliary structures — the vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct. The provider also separates left-side segments II and III from right-side segments I, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII to create two liver allografts for transplant.
Service type: Organ procurement / backbench liver preparation
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or transplant center surgical suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A donor-operated backbench liver split preparation occurs in an operating room or organ procurement facility after retrieval of a cadaveric whole liver intended for transplantation. A donor procurement surgeon or transplant surgeon inspects the graft, removes the gallbladder and surrounding soft tissues, and prepares vascular and biliary structures (vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, common bile duct). For a split-liver preparation the surgeon separates left lateral segments II and III from the right lobe segments to create two allografts. The typical patient scenario involves a deceased donor whose liver is procured by a multi-disciplinary procurement team; the organ is transported to the transplant center, where the receiving transplant surgeon or backbench team completes standard preparation and splitting as indicated. Typical workflow: donor retrieval and transport → backbench graft assessment and cold perfusion → removal of gallbladder and soft tissue → identification and preparation of vena cava, portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct → partitioning to create two grafts (left lateral and right extended) → packaging and allocation for transplantation. Typical site of service: hospital operating room or designated organ recovery suite within a transplant center.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Standard reporting when no special circumstance modifier applies |