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Ask a Rev Cycle Expert: Therapeutic Apheresis?

Question:

Can you please provide a basic description of the difference between CPT® codes 36514 and 36516?

Answer:

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 36514 Therapeutic apheresis; for plasma pheresis and CPT® code 36516 Therapeutic apheresis; with extracorporeal immunoadsorption, selective adsorption or selective filtration and plasma reinfusion are both procedures where the patient’s blood is processed in a special piece of equipment that separates and removes one or more blood components, then returns the blood back to the patient’s circulatory system. For CPT® code 36516, the component removed is low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the procedure can take several hours to complete. CPT® code 36514 is the removal of plasma which is then reintroduced to the patient, and is usually used to treat thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or other microangiopathic hemolytic anemias.

Disclaimer: This information was current at the time of its publishing and is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered. Vitalware does not accept any responsibility or liability with regard to any errors, omissions, misuses, or misinterpretation by the reader. It is not intended to take the place of either the written policies or regulations. We encourage you to review the specific regulations and other interpretive materials as necessary. All CPT® codes are trademarked by the American Medical Association (AMA) and all revenue codes are copyrighted by the American Hospital Association (AHA).