How To Use CPT Code 0538T

CPT 0538T describes the process of preparing blood-derived T lymphocytes for transportation in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. This article will cover the description, official definition, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples.

1. What is CPT Code 0538T?

CPT 0538T can be used to describe the preparation of blood-derived T lymphocytes for transportation in CAR-T therapy. This code is used when a technician freezes the T lymphocytes extracted from the patient’s blood and places them in a suitable container for transportation to a laboratory.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 0538T is: ‘Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy; preparation of blood-derived T lymphocytes for transportation (e.g., cryopreservation, storage).’

3. Procedure

1. The technician freezes the T lymphocytes extracted from the patient’s blood.
2. The frozen T lymphocytes are placed in a proper container for transportation to a laboratory.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients who undergo CAR-T therapy and require the transportation of blood-derived T lymphocytes are eligible for CPT 0538T. CAR-T therapy is typically used for patients with certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma. The procedure must involve the preparation and transportation of blood-derived T lymphocytes.

5. When to use CPT code 0538T

CPT code 0538T should be used when a technician prepares blood-derived T lymphocytes for transportation in CAR-T therapy. It is important to ensure that the procedure specifically involves cryopreservation and storage of the T lymphocytes for transportation.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 0538T, the documentation should include:

• Confirmation of the patient’s eligibility for CAR-T therapy
• Details of the cryopreservation and storage process for the blood-derived T lymphocytes
• Date and time of the procedure
• Any additional relevant information or notes related to the transportation of the T lymphocytes

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 0538T, it is important to ensure that the procedure involves the preparation and transportation of blood-derived T lymphocytes for CAR-T therapy. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting this code with other codes. However, it is important to follow any applicable payer-specific guidelines and modifiers, if required.

8. Historical information

CPT 0538T was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2019. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A technician freezes the blood-derived T lymphocytes extracted from a patient with leukemia and prepares them for transportation to a laboratory for CAR-T therapy.
2. After extracting T lymphocytes from a lymphoma patient’s blood, a technician cryopreserves and stores them for transportation in CAR-T therapy.
3. In preparation for CAR-T therapy, a technician freezes and packages the blood-derived T lymphocytes from a patient with multiple myeloma for transportation to a specialized laboratory.
4. Following the extraction of T lymphocytes from a patient with sarcoma, a technician cryopreserves and prepares them for transportation in CAR-T therapy.
5. A technician freezes the blood-derived T lymphocytes obtained from a patient with melanoma and ensures their proper storage and transportation for CAR-T therapy.
6. In CAR-T therapy, a technician cryopreserves and packages the T lymphocytes extracted from a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma for transportation to a laboratory.
7. After extracting blood-derived T lymphocytes from a patient with lung cancer, a technician freezes and prepares them for transportation in CAR-T therapy.
8. A technician cryopreserves and packages the T lymphocytes obtained from a patient with breast cancer for transportation in CAR-T therapy.
9. In preparation for CAR-T therapy, a technician freezes and stores the blood-derived T lymphocytes extracted from a patient with pancreatic cancer for transportation.
10. Following the extraction of T lymphocytes from a patient with ovarian cancer, a technician cryopreserves and prepares them for transportation in CAR-T therapy.