CPT 38208
Global XXXThaw preserved stem cells
CPT 38208 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 38208 (Thaw preserved stem cells) is classified under Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 0.55, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 0.12, and a malpractice RVU of 0.06, a total non-facility RVU of 0.73 and facility RVU of 0.73. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $24.64, though rates vary from $22.83 to $32.93 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 38208, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 38208 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Invalid for Medicare; not separately payable
No global period (E/M and other non-procedural services)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 0 units of 38208 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 38208
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 0.12 | 0.12 |
| Malpractice RVU | 0.06 | 0.06 |
| Total RVU | 0.73 | 0.73 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 38208
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $24.86 | $24.86 | $24.15 - $27.25 | 29 |
| Florida | $26.29 | $26.29 | $25.21 - $27.61 | 3 |
| Georgia | $24.62 | $24.62 | $24.33 - $24.9 | 2 |
| Illinois | $26.14 | $26.14 | $25.16 - $27.13 | 4 |
| Michigan | $24.96 | $24.96 | $24.29 - $25.62 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $23.39 | $23.39 | $23.39 - $23.39 | 1 |
| New York | $26.44 | $26.44 | $23.59 - $28.03 | 5 |
| Ohio | $24.05 | $24.05 | $24.05 - $24.05 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $24.6 | $24.6 | $23.94 - $25.26 | 2 |
| Texas | $24.28 | $24.28 | $23.88 - $25.26 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 38208
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 38208 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36000 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 36410 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 36591 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 36592 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction |
| 37202 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 62318 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 62319 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 64415 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 64417 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 64450 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | 9 | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 38208
What does CPT code 38208 mean? +
CPT code 38208 represents: Thaw preserved stem cells. It's in the Surgery (Respiratory/Cardiovascular) category with a global period of XXX.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 38208? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 38208 is $24.64. Rates range from $22.83 to $32.93 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 38208? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 38208? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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