Summary & Overview
CPT 47147: Liver Graft Artery Graft for Anastomosis
CPT code 47147 represents a specialized transplant surgery technique: attaching an artery graft to an arterial segment on a liver graft to create a single, appropriately sized artery for subsequent anastomosis to the recipient’s artery. This procedure is integral to liver transplantation when native graft arterial anatomy requires modification or extension to facilitate vascular connection and optimal perfusion. Nationally, the code matters because it captures a critical intraoperative vascular reconstruction step that affects surgical complexity, resource use, and claims adjudication for transplant centers.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for CPT code 47147, common coding considerations, and typical sites of service. The publication summarizes benchmarks where available, outlines relevant policy and reimbursement considerations affecting transplant services, and provides practical guidance on documentation elements that support accurate coding and medical necessity review.
Data not available in the input: Associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payer-specific coverage details.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 47147 describes a surgical grafting procedure in which the provider attaches an artery graft to an arterial segment on a liver graft. The objective is to create a single artery of sufficient length and caliber to permit anastomosis to the recipient patient’s artery during liver transplantation.
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Service type: Organ transplant vascular reconstruction
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Typical site of service: Inpatient hospital operating room during liver transplant surgery
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45–65-year-old recipient undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease (for example, cirrhosis with portal hypertension or hepatocellular carcinoma within transplant criteria). During back-table preparation or intraoperative reconstruction of the donor liver, the transplant surgeon performs arterial conduit reconstruction to create a single arterial inflow of adequate length and caliber for anastomosis to the recipient arterial supply. The procedure 47147 involves attaching an artery graft (autologous, donor, or cryopreserved conduit) to an artery segment on the liver graft to establish a single, tension-free hepatic artery for subsequent anastomosis to the recipient. Typical workflow includes donor organ procurement, back-table vascular reconstruction (including arterial graft attachment), implantation into the recipient, arterial anastomosis, reperfusion, and intraoperative assessment of arterial flow with Doppler ultrasound. Typical site of service is the operating room within an acute care hospital during a liver transplant. Service type is major surgical, transplant-related vascular reconstruction under general anesthesia.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
62 | Two surgeons | When two surgeons from different specialties actively perform distinct portions of the transplant arterial reconstruction |