Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

For Donor Search and Planning, Use This Code

Question: Our oncologist is planning a transplant and looking for suitable donor of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Can we report for these services?

New York Subscriber

Answer: For the planning and management of hematopoietic progenitor donor search and cell acquisition, you should report code 38204 (Management of recipient hematopoietic progenitor cell donor search and cell acquisition). This code is inclusive of the following services:

  • Management of a team that reviews the records for potential donors and screens them for compatibility as donors for bone marrow or stem cells
  • Review of compatible donors
  • Management and planning for harvesting the cells
  • Taking sample cells from the potential donors and assessing the sample for compatibility.