How To Use CPT Code 50328

CPT 50328 describes the backbench reconstruction of a cadaver or living donor renal allograft prior to transplantation, specifically the arterial anastomosis. This article will provide an overview of CPT code 50328, including its official description, the procedure involved, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples.

1. What is CPT Code 50328?

CPT 50328 is used to describe the backbench reconstruction of a cadaver or living donor renal allograft prior to transplantation, specifically focusing on the arterial anastomosis. This procedure involves the preparation of an arterial allograft from a donor kidney, which is then transplanted into the recipient.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 50328 is: ‘Backbench reconstruction of cadaver or living donor renal allograft prior to transplantation; arterial anastomosis, each.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider prepares the arterial allograft under cold preservation solution.
2. If the donor organ is obtained from a cadaver, the provider removes the aortic patch to create the renal artery allograft.
3. If the donor organ is obtained from a living donor, the provider joins the inferior epigastric artery to the segmental renal artery.
4. The provider utilizes iliac arteries from the cadaver donor and incorporates them into the allograft.
5. After the anastomosis, the provider irrigates the vessels with a solution to ensure their viability.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 50328 is performed when a provider is reconstructing the arterial anastomosis of a cadaver or living donor renal allograft prior to transplantation. This procedure is typically done in cases where the recipient requires a kidney transplant and the donor organ is obtained from either a cadaver or a living donor.

5. When to use CPT code 50328

CPT code 50328 should be used when the provider is specifically performing the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis for a cadaver or living donor renal allograft prior to transplantation. It is important to note that this code should not be reported separately if the provider is already using other backbench reconstruction codes, such as 50327 and 50329, for additional aspects of the procedure.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 50328, the provider must ensure that the following documentation is included:

• Clear indication of the need for backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis
• Details of the specific procedure performed, including any modifications made based on the donor organ source
• Date and duration of the procedure
• Documentation of the use of cold preservation solution and the irrigation of vessels
• Any additional relevant information or complications encountered during the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 50328, it is important to ensure that the procedure performed aligns with the official description of the code. The provider should not report this code separately if other backbench reconstruction codes are already being used for different aspects of the procedure. Modifier 22, Increased procedural service, may be appended to CPT code 50328 in cases where the provider has spent additional time and effort due to the complexity of the procedure. However, it is crucial to provide clear and detailed documentation to support the use of this modifier.

8. Historical information

CPT code 50328 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2005. The code has not undergone any updates or changes since its addition. It is important to stay updated with any future changes or revisions to ensure accurate coding and billing.

9. Examples

1. A urologist performing the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis for a cadaver renal allograft prior to transplantation.
2. A surgical team preparing the arterial allograft from a living donor kidney and performing the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis.
3. A transplant surgeon joining the inferior epigastric artery to the segmental renal artery during the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis for a living donor renal allograft.
4. A provider irrigating the vessels with a solution to ensure their viability after completing the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis for a cadaver renal allograft.
5. A urologist documenting the details of the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis, including any modifications made based on the donor organ source.
6. A surgical team performing the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis for a living donor renal allograft, ensuring the proper connection of the iliac arteries.
7. A transplant surgeon using cold preservation solution during the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis for a cadaver renal allograft.
8. A provider encountering complications during the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis and documenting the additional efforts required to complete the procedure.
9. A urologist appending modifier 22 to CPT code 50328 to indicate the increased procedural service due to the complexity of the backbench reconstruction.
10. A surgical team providing clear and detailed documentation of the backbench reconstruction of the arterial anastomosis to support accurate coding and billing.