CPT code 48552 captures the specialized surgical service of reconstructing a donor pancreatic vein and preparing the pancreas in a separate work area of the operating room for transplantation. This code represents a critical step in pancreas transplant workflows that enables successful vascular anastomosis and organ viability prior to implantation. Nationally, accurate coding for donor organ preparation is essential for procedural accounting, transplant program reporting, and payer adjudication of transplant-related facility and professional services.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the code’s clinical context and service setting, common modifiers relevant to reporting, and guidance on where this line item typically appears in transplant service bundles. The publication outlines benchmarking considerations and policy issues that affect coverage and reimbursement for transplant organ preparation, including implications for billing distinct donor organ preparation services versus bundled transplant procedures.

This summary equips transplant program managers, billing professionals, and policy analysts with clear context about when and why CPT code 48552 is used, the typical operating-room setting for the service, and the payer landscape relevant to national billing and policy discussions.