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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesPancreas Transplantation ProceduresCPT cpt-48552-donor-pancreas-vein-reconstruction-organ-preparation
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    CPT 48552: Pancreas Vein Reconstruction for Donor Organ Preparation

    Medicare pays $211 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 48552 describes surgical reconstruction of a vein in a pancreas harvested from a cadaver or nonliving donor, performed to prepare the organ for subsequent transplantation in a recipient; this is an organ procurement and preparation service typically performed in the operating room in a separate donor organ preparation area and is categorized as donor organ preparation/bench surgery.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old recipient with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease is scheduled to receive a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant. A deceased donor pancreas is procured and transported to the recipient hospital. In the operating room, a transplant surgeon and team perform back-table preparation of the donor pancreas, including reconstruction of the donor portal venous system (venous conduit or extension) to optimize vascular length and facilitate anastomosis to the recipient iliac vein. The procedure is performed in a separate sterile work area of the OR before implantation. Typical personnel include a transplant surgeon, surgical assistant, scrub tech, and anesthesia team. The service is furnished in an inpatient operating room setting and is part of the organ procurement and implantation workflow for pancreas transplantation. Documentation should describe donor organ preparation steps, specific venous reconstruction techniques, start/stop times for the back-table work, and any complications or unusual circumstances influencing charge selection and modifier assignment.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    48552Reconstruction of vein of pancreas (donor) for transplantation; preparation of organ in separate work area of operating roomPrimary code describing back-table venous reconstruction of a donor pancreas prior to transplantation.
    47135Pancreas transplant, with or without duodenal segment; recipient procedurePerformed on the recipient to implant the prepared donor pancreas; follows donor organ preparation.
    50300Donor nephrectomy, from cadaver donor, for transplantOften performed in multi-organ procurement; donor organ recovery procedures are coordinated with pancreas procurement.
    32999Unlisted procedure, vascular surgery (example for complex venous work)May be used when an unusual or additional vascular reconstruction is performed that is not described by standard codes.
    66984Cataract extraction with intraocular lens (example unrelated)Data not applicable to pancreas transplant workflow — included only if billing systems require cross-referencing unrelated services.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    63Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2080P0208X
    208D00000X
    207L00000X
    208200000X
    207ZP0105X
    213EP1101X
    363LX0106X
    2085H0002X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    21 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E08.22Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with diabetic chronic kidney disease
    E08.36Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with diabetic cataract
    E10.21Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E10.42Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy
    E10.65Type 1 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia
    E10.9Type 1 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E11.21Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E11.36Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic cataract
    E11.42Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic polyneuropathy
    E11.65Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia

    Showing 1–10 of 21

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-48550-PANCREAS-PROCUREMENT-DONOR-ORGAN-RECOVERY

    CPT 48550: Pancreas Retrieval from Deceased Donor

    CPT-48551-PANCREAS-DONOR-PREPARATION-FOR-TRANSPLANTATION

    CPT 48551: Pancreas Preparation from Deceased Donor for Transplant

    CPT-48554-PANCREAS-ALLOGRAFT-IMPLANTATION-EXTRACORPOREAL-DONOR

    CPT 48554: Cadaveric Pancreas Implantation, Native Pancreas Retained

    CPT-48556-DONOR-PANCREAS-EXPLANTATION

    CPT 48556: Explantation of Transplanted Pancreas

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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