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The CPT® Code 85060 refers to a laboratory procedure known as a blood smear, specifically the interpretation of a peripheral blood smear by a physician, accompanied by a written report. This procedure is typically performed when an automated complete blood count (CBC) yields abnormal results, prompting further investigation into the patient's blood cells. During the test, a small drop of blood is placed on a glass slide, where it is spread into a thin layer and fixed using a special stain to preserve the cellular details. Once prepared, the slide is examined under a microscope, allowing the physician to count and analyze the various blood cells present. This examination focuses on the size, shape, and overall appearance of the cells, which include red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes), white blood cells (WBCs or leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). The characteristics observed during this analysis can provide critical insights into a range of medical conditions, including those affecting blood production, function, and cell destruction. For instance, a blood smear can be instrumental in diagnosing various disorders such as anemia, myeloproliferative diseases, bone marrow diseases, leukemia, and hemoglobin variants like sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Additionally, this test is valuable in monitoring patients undergoing cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The blood sample required for this procedure is typically obtained through a separate reportable venipuncture or via finger, ear, or heel stick, ensuring that whole blood is available for thorough examination using the stain and microscope.
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The blood smear interpretation procedure (CPT® Code 85060) is indicated for various clinical scenarios where further evaluation of blood cell characteristics is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for performing a blood smear interpretation involves several key steps that ensure accurate analysis of the blood sample. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for a blood smear interpretation is generally minimal, as the procedure itself is non-invasive and does not typically require any specific recovery time. However, it is important for the physician to review the written report with the patient, discussing any findings and potential implications for further testing or treatment. Patients may be advised to monitor for any unusual symptoms that could arise following the blood sample collection, such as excessive bleeding or bruising at the puncture site. Additionally, follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results in detail and to determine if further diagnostic procedures or interventions are necessary based on the findings of the blood smear.
| Short Descr | BLOOD SMEAR INTERPRETATION | Medium Descr | BLOOD SMEAR PERIPHERAL INTERP PHYS W/WRIT REPORT | Long Descr | Blood smear, peripheral, interpretation by physician with written report | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 8 - Physician Interpretation Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Code Not Recognized by OPPS when submitted on Outpatient Hospital Part B Bill Type (12x/13x) | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 233 - Laboratory - Chemistry and Hematology |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0854T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for blood smear, peripheral, interpretation by physician with written report (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | 95 | Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CG | Policy criteria applied | FS | Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | PC | Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | X2 | Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Guideline added. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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