Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: How can we bill for outpatient autologous blood transfusions? Are there different codes for the collection and transfusion of autologous blood? Which codes can we bill at the time of collection of the autologous blood?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: Collection and transfusion of blood are not the same. For the collection of autologous blood, you submit code 86890 (Autologous blood or component, collection processing and storage; predeposited) or 86891 (Autologous blood or component, collection processing and storage; intra- or postoperative salvage). These codes are permitted only in the hospital outpatient setting and only apply when the autologous blood is collected, but not transfused. The inclusive services include: collection, processing, transportation, and storage of blood.

For transfusion, you have a dedicated code, 36430 (Transfusion, blood or blood components). In addition, you can submit the applicable blood product Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code. Medicare instructs code 36430 is billed on the transfusion date and not on the date of collection of blood.