Claim Submission | Cell Therapy 360

Claim Submission by Treatment Center

General coding and billing considerations for CAR T cell therapies

Coding and billing for CAR T cell therapies will vary based on patient’s condition, provided services, payer-specific requirements, and selected site/setting of care*. It is critical for treatment sites to confirm specific payer requirements prior to claim submission in order to avoid processing delays or denials.

Unique Coding Dynamics

HCPCS Level II Codes

Q-codes have been assigned to previously approved CAR T cell therapies; their descriptions include leukapheresis and dose preparation procedures¹

Hospital Revenue Codes

CAR T-specific revenue codes became effective in 2019²
Payer requirements for inpatient/outpatient hospital facilities may vary

ICD-10-PCS Codes

CAR T-specific ICD-10-PCS codes became effective in 2017³
Starting in 2020, CMS began assigning unique ICD-10-PCS codes for each CAR T product³
CAR T-specific ICD-10-PCS codes were updated, effective October 1, 2021³
Payer requirements for inpatient hospital facilities may vary

CPT^® Codes

CAR T-specific CPT Category III codes became effective in 2019^1,2
CAR T-specific CPT Category I codes replaced Category III codes, effective January 1, 2025¹
CMS requires physicians and providers to bill these CAR T-specific CPT Category I codes²; private payer policies may vary

Coding & Billing Requirements by Payer Segment

Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS)

Billing instructions have been issued by CMS
- Refer to Chapter 32 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, as well as Medicare Transmittals 11179 and 11774^4-6

Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans

Starting in January 2021, CAR T cell therapy is paid by MA plans
- Billing requirements may vary by payer

Commercial Plans and Other Payers

Billing requirements may vary by payer

^*^{Site/setting-of-care decisions are at the sole discretion of the treating physician/institution.}

Visit the Resource Library for informative downloadable tools.

^{CAR=chimeric antigen receptor; CMS=Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; CPT=Current Procedural Terminology; HCPCS=Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System; ICD-10-PCS=International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System; R/R=relapsed or refractory.}

CAR T CELL THERAPY RESOURCES

CAR T claim submission checklist

PRODUCT-SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND CODES

See a CAR T treatment for R/R B-cell lymphomas

See a CAR T treatment for R/R multiple myeloma

^{This information is provided for educational purposes only. Bristol Myers Squibb cannot guarantee insurance coverage or reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement may vary significantly by payer, plan, patient, and setting of care and is subject to frequent change. It is the sole responsibility of the healthcare provider to select the proper codes and ensure the accuracy of all statements used in seeking coverage and reimbursement for an individual patient.}

References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fed Regist. 2024;89(299):93912-94594.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medical Learning Network. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy revenue code and HCPCS setup revisions. Article Release Date March 17, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE19009.pdf
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fed Regist. 2024;89(167):68986-70046.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare claims processing manual. Chapter 32. Published June 29, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/clm104c32.pdf
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Transmittal 11179. Published January 12, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r11179otn.pdf
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Transmittal 11774, Published December 30, 2022. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r11774cp.pdf