Medical Billing · Nationwide
Pediatric Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT) Medical Billing Services
Pediatric total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation for refractory genetic/chronic pancreatitis: total pancreatectomy (48155), cGMP back-table enzymatic islet isolation and purification (48805), transhepatic or mesenteric portal vein catheterization (36481/37202), and gravity-fed intraportal islet autotransplantation (+48554/+48556).
Aethera Healthcare Solutions provides full-service medical billing and revenue cycle management to pediatric hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons, pediatric islet transplant specialists, pediatric gastroenterologists, and tertiary pancreas centers across the United States. We handle coding, claims, payment posting, denial management, and A/R follow-up end to end — so your team can stay focused on patient care while your revenue cycle runs cleanly.
Typical pediatric total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (tpiat) CPT range we work: 48155, 48805, 48554, 48556, 36481, 37202, 75885, 99223, 99291.
Why pediatric total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (tpiat) billing leaks revenue
Islet isolation processing (48805) unbundling denials: Payers improperly bundling multi-hour cGMP back-table islet enzymatic digestion into primary pancreatectomy
Autotransplantation (+48554) vs allotransplantation coverage confusion: Health plans erroneously denying autologous islet infusion under experimental deceased-donor allotransplant policies
Portal vein catheter access (36481/37202) bundling clawbacks: Denial of separate mesenteric/transhepatic venipuncture for islet infusion
Postoperative glycemic management and ICU critical care (99291) global period disputes
How Aethera fixes it
Specialty-trained coders (CPC/CCS) code to the documentation
First-pass claim scrubbing against payer and NCCI edits
Proactive denial prevention and 72-hour denial work
Relentless A/R follow-up to drive days-in-A/R down
Eligibility and prior-auth verification before service
Transparent, real-time reporting in the provider portal
Free tools for your billing team
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Pediatric Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT) billing FAQ
How is back-table islet isolation (CPT 48805) billed during pediatric TPIAT?
Enzymatic digestion and laboratory isolation of pancreatic islet cells is reported using CPT 48805 (preparation and laboratory processing of autologous islet cells for transplantation). Because islet processing occurs in a specialized clean-room facility during or immediately following pancreatectomy, it represents a distinct technical laboratory service separate from the surgical pancreatectomy (CPT 48155). Operative reports and laboratory isolation certificates detailing islet equivalent (IEQ/kg) yields must be submitted with the claim.
Can intraportal islet autotransplantation (+48554) be billed concurrently with total pancreatectomy (48155)?
Yes. Intraportal reinfusion of autologous islets into the hepatic portal venous circulation is reported using CPT 48554 (transplantation of pancreatic islet cells; autotransplantation). Under CMS NCCI guidelines, islet autotransplantation is distinct from pancreatectomy and is recognized as a life-preserving metabolic procedure to prevent surgical brittle diabetes.