CPT code 86891 represents intraoperative blood salvage (IBS): the collection, processing, and storage of a patient’s blood or blood components during surgery to reduce the need for allogeneic transfusion. This service is clinically significant in procedures with anticipated substantial blood loss, including major cardiovascular, orthopedic, and trauma surgeries, and carries implications for patient safety, perioperative planning, and hospital transfusion protocols.

Key payers covered in this national overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise synthesis of what the code covers clinically, typical sites of service, and common use cases. The publication outlines benchmarks and reimbursement context where available, summarizes relevant policy and coverage considerations that affect utilization, and situates the code within perioperative blood management strategies.

This summary equips clinicians, billing professionals, and hospital administrators with a clear understanding of the clinical procedure represented by CPT code 86891, the payer landscape addressed in the analysis, and the types of operational and policy insights provided: coverage patterns, coding guidance, and clinical context for integrating IBS into surgical care pathways.