Summary & Overview
CPT 89354: Thawing of Cryopreserved Testicular or Ovarian Tissue
CPT code 89354 denotes the laboratory thawing of cryopreserved testicular or ovarian reproductive tissue. This specific procedural code captures a discrete laboratory step within fertility preservation and assisted reproductive technology (ART) services. Accurate coding for thawing procedures is important nationally because it supports consistent billing, resource allocation in specialized laboratories, and clear communication across payers and providers involved in fertility preservation.
Key payers considered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context for thawing cryopreserved gonadal tissue, typical sites of service where the procedure occurs, and the role of this code within ART laboratory workflows. The publication provides benchmarks and policy-relevant content where available, including common modifier usage and payer coverage patterns when documented. It also highlights operational considerations for laboratories and fertility clinics that manage cryopreserved tissue.
Data not available in the input is noted where applicable. The content is intended for national audiences seeking a practical summary of CPT code 89354, its clinical meaning, and the payer landscape relevant to laboratory thawing of reproductive tissue.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 89354 describes the laboratory service in which a lab analyst performs the thawing of cryopreserved testicular or ovarian reproductive tissue that the laboratory has previously stored for future use. This procedure is part of assisted reproductive technology workflows and involves controlled thawing to prepare preserved gonadal tissue for downstream processing, testing, or clinical use.
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Service type: Laboratory thawing of cryopreserved reproductive tissue
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Typical site of service: Specialized clinical laboratory or fertility clinic laboratory
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 32-year-old patient with a prior diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced infertility requests use of previously cryopreserved testicular or ovarian tissue for assisted reproduction. The reproductive endocrinology team coordinates scheduling with the laboratory to retrieve and prepare the tissue on the day of the fertility procedure. The lab analyst receives a thaw request, confirms tissue identity and chain of custody, performs controlled-rate thawing of the cryopreserved testicular or ovarian reproductive tissue, evaluates viability, documents thaw parameters, and transfers the thawed tissue to the receiving clinical team or embryology suite for subsequent fertilization, ovarian tissue transplantation, or implantation procedures. Typical workflow steps include verification of patient and specimen identifiers, removal of cryovial(s) from long-term storage, stepwise warming and cryoprotectant removal, assessment of tissue integrity, and documentation in the laboratory information system. Typical site of service is an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital-based fertility laboratory associated with an assisted reproductive technology program.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier specified by payer | Use when no other modifier applies and payer requires explicit 00 to indicate no modifier. |