CPT® Code 38230

Bone marrow harvesting for transplantation, as described by CPT® Code 38230, involves the extraction of bone marrow from a donor for the purpose of transplantation. Bone marrow is a vital tissue found within the cavities of bones, primarily responsible for the production of blood cells. It contains hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), also known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are essential for generating mature blood components, including red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, with the patient positioned prone on the operating table to facilitate access to the iliac crest, a common site for bone marrow collection. The harvesting process involves the insertion of a needle through the skin and into the bone to extract marrow, which may be repeated at multiple sites to ensure an adequate volume is collected. This procedure is specifically indicated for allogeneic transplants, where the donor and recipient are different individuals, and is distinct from autologous harvesting, where the patient’s own marrow is collected, which is coded separately under CPT® Code 38232.