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Official Description

Hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC); allogeneic transplantation per donor

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplantation, commonly known as hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, is a medical procedure that involves the infusion of progenitor cells into a recipient's bloodstream. These progenitor cells, which are essential for the formation of blood cells, can be sourced from various locations, including bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood. The cells may be harvested from the patient themselves, referred to as autologous transplantation, or from a donor, known as allogeneic transplantation. In the case of allogeneic transplantation, the procedure is reported using CPT® Code 38240. Prior to the transplantation, the recipient undergoes a preparatory phase that includes myeloablative or immunosuppressive conditioning to create an optimal environment for the transplanted cells. Once the cells are harvested, they are typically frozen and stored until the transplantation is performed. During the actual procedure, the frozen hematopoietic progenitor cells are thawed, prepared, and then infused intravenously into the recipient. It is important to note that if multiple donors are involved in the transplantation process, CPT® Code 38240 should be reported for each allogeneic transplantation from a new donor. For cases involving autologous transplantation, CPT® Code 38241 is utilized instead.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The indications for hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) allogeneic transplantation include a variety of hematological conditions and disorders that necessitate the replacement of damaged or dysfunctional blood cells. These conditions may include:

  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) - A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells.
  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) - A fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects lymphoid cells.
  • Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) - A cancer of the blood and bone marrow that involves the overproduction of myeloid cells.
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) - A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, leading to the accumulation of abnormal lymphocytes.
  • Lymphoma - Including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which are cancers that originate in the lymphatic system.
  • Aplastic Anemia - A condition where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells, leading to fatigue and increased risk of infections.
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) - A group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells.
  • Inherited Blood Disorders - Such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, which can be treated through the replacement of defective blood-forming cells.

2. Procedure

The procedure for hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) allogeneic transplantation involves several critical steps to ensure the successful infusion of donor cells into the recipient. These steps include:

  • Step 1: Donor Selection and Cell Harvesting - The first step involves identifying a suitable donor whose HPCs are compatible with the recipient. Once a donor is selected, the progenitor cells are harvested through a procedure that may involve bone marrow aspiration, peripheral blood collection, or umbilical cord blood extraction. This harvesting process is a separately reportable procedure and is crucial for obtaining the necessary cells for transplantation.
  • Step 2: Cell Processing and Storage - After harvesting, the collected progenitor cells are processed, which may include washing, filtering, and freezing the cells to preserve their viability. The cells are stored in a cryogenic environment until the time of transplantation, ensuring that they remain viable for infusion.
  • Step 3: Pre-Transplant Conditioning - Prior to the transplantation, the recipient undergoes a conditioning regimen, which may involve myeloablative therapy or immunosuppressive therapy. This step is essential to eliminate the recipient's existing bone marrow and immune cells, creating space for the transplanted cells and reducing the risk of rejection.
  • Step 4: Thawing and Preparation of Cells - On the day of the transplant, the frozen HPCs are carefully thawed and prepared for infusion. This preparation is critical to ensure that the cells are in optimal condition for transplantation.
  • Step 5: Infusion of Progenitor Cells - The final step involves the intravenous infusion of the prepared hematopoietic progenitor cells into the recipient's bloodstream. This infusion allows the transplanted cells to migrate to the bone marrow, where they will begin to proliferate and restore normal blood cell production.

3. Post-Procedure

After the hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) allogeneic transplantation, the recipient requires careful monitoring and supportive care to manage potential complications and ensure successful engraftment of the transplanted cells. Post-procedure care typically includes:

Close observation for signs of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a condition where the donor's immune cells attack the recipient's tissues, is essential. Patients may also experience neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia as their bone marrow recovers. Supportive care may involve transfusions of red blood cells and platelets, as well as antibiotics to prevent infections due to immunosuppression. The recovery period can vary, and regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor blood counts and overall health. Additionally, patients may require ongoing immunosuppressive therapy to prevent rejection of the transplanted cells and to manage any complications that arise during the recovery phase.

Short Descr TRANSPLT ALLO HCT/DONOR
Medium Descr TRNSPLJ ALLOGENEIC HEMATOPOIETIC CELLS PER DONOR
Long Descr Hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC); allogeneic transplantation per donor
Status Code Restricted Coverage
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 64 - Bone marrow transplant
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
FS Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2012-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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