Use of Cadaver Cartilage

Question:

We have a patient that needs a major revision rhinoplasty requiring cadaver cartilage. There is no remaining local cartilage that can be utilized in this case and my surgeon has opted to use cadaver instead of rib cartilage. I know local grafts are not separately reportable, but is there a way to bill for cadaver cartilage?

Answer:

Unfortunately, no. The concept is that surgical CPT codes represent physician work. There is negligible physician work in using pre-fabricated cadaver cartilage so that is why a CPT code does not exist.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 07/08/21.