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Official Description

Transplant preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells; specific cell depletion within harvest, T-cell depletion

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 38210 refers to the process of transplant preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, specifically focusing on the depletion of T-cells during the harvesting of these cells. Hematopoietic progenitor cells are essential for the formation of blood cells and are often harvested from blood for use in transplantation procedures. The depletion of T-cells is a critical step in this process, particularly for allogeneic transplants, where the donor and recipient are different individuals. This procedure aims to minimize the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a condition where the transplanted immune cells attack the recipient's body. During the harvesting process, the collected blood is processed through an automated device designed to selectively remove T-cells and other unwanted cells, ensuring that the final product is enriched with the desired progenitor cells. Following the depletion process, a quality assessment is conducted to verify that the T-cells and other undesired cells have been adequately removed, confirming the suitability of the transplant product for future transplantation. Additionally, any necessary cryopreservation and storage of the harvested cells are performed as a separate reportable service, ensuring that the cells remain viable until they are needed for the transplant procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 38210 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Allogeneic Transplant Procedures T-cell depletion is performed to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients receiving hematopoietic progenitor cells from a donor.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 38210 involves several critical steps to ensure the effective harvesting and preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

  • Step 1: Blood Collection The process begins with the collection of blood from the donor, which contains the hematopoietic progenitor cells. This is typically done through apheresis, a procedure that separates the blood components and allows for the collection of specific cells while returning the remaining components back to the donor.
  • Step 2: T-cell Depletion Once the blood is collected, it is processed through an automated device designed to deplete T-cells. This device utilizes specific techniques to passively remove T-cells and other unwanted cells from the harvested progenitor cells, ensuring that the final product is enriched with the desired hematopoietic progenitor cells.
  • Step 3: Quality Assessment After the T-cell depletion process, a quality assessment is performed on the transplant product. This assessment is crucial to confirm that the T-cells and other undesired cells have been sufficiently depleted. The quality check ensures that the harvested cells are suitable for transplantation, which is vital for the success of the procedure.
  • Step 4: Cryopreservation and Storage Following the quality assessment, any necessary cryopreservation and storage of the hematopoietic progenitor cells are conducted. This step is essential to maintain the viability of the cells until they are needed for the transplant procedure. The cryopreservation process involves freezing the cells at very low temperatures to preserve their function and integrity.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing T-cell depletion during hematopoietic progenitor cell harvesting typically involves monitoring for any potential complications related to the apheresis process. Patients may experience some side effects from the blood collection, such as fatigue or mild discomfort at the venipuncture site. Additionally, the quality of the harvested cells is closely monitored to ensure they meet the necessary standards for transplantation. Once the cells are cryopreserved, they can be stored for future use, and the patient will be prepared for the subsequent transplant procedure, which may involve additional pre-transplant conditioning regimens.

Short Descr T-CELL DEPLETION OF HARVEST
Medium Descr TRNSPL PREPJ HEMATOP PROGEN DEPLJ IN HRV T-CELL
Long Descr Transplant preparation of hematopoietic progenitor cells; specific cell depletion within harvest, T-cell depletion
Status Code Not Valid for Medicare Purposes
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 9 - Not Applicable
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 0
CCS Clinical Classification 64 - Bone marrow transplant
Date
Action
Notes
2003-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2003.
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