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CPT® Code 88104 refers to a specific laboratory test known as cytopathology, which involves the examination of fluid samples, washings, or brushings, excluding those taken from cervical or vaginal sources. This procedure is essential for diagnosing a variety of conditions, including malignant and premalignant diseases, infections, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, immune reactions, cell aging, and amyloidosis. Cytopathology focuses on the microscopic analysis of cells that either naturally exfoliate from body surfaces or can be collected through washing or brushing techniques. The samples analyzed can originate from various bodily fluids, such as sputum, urine, breast discharge, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, joint effusions, vitreous fluid from the eye, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract. To perform the test, a sample is obtained through a separately reportable procedure. The cytopathology process typically involves the smear technique, where the collected sample is spread onto a glass slide and subsequently fixed to preserve the cellular structure. In cases where fluid is tested, the simple filter method is employed, which involves filtering the fluid to isolate the cells, with the sediment then fixed onto a glass slide for examination. A pathologist will meticulously analyze the prepared slide under a microscope and generate a comprehensive written report detailing the findings, which aids in the diagnosis and management of the patient's condition.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88104 is indicated for the evaluation of various medical conditions through the analysis of fluid samples, washings, or brushings. The specific indications for performing this cytopathology test include:
The procedure for CPT® Code 88104 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate cytopathological analysis. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the cytopathology procedure associated with CPT® Code 88104, there are several considerations for post-procedure care. Typically, there are no specific post-procedure restrictions for the patient, as the procedure is minimally invasive and involves the analysis of fluid samples. However, it is important for the healthcare provider to review the findings from the pathologist's report once it is available. The results may necessitate further diagnostic testing or interventions based on the identified conditions. Patients should be informed about the potential for follow-up appointments to discuss the results and any necessary treatment options that may arise from the findings of the cytopathological analysis.
| Short Descr | CYTOPATH FL NONGYN SMEARS | Medium Descr | CYTP FLU WASHGS/BRUSHINGS XCPT C/V SMRS INTERPJ | Long Descr | Cytopathology, fluids, washings or brushings, except cervical or vaginal; smears with interpretation | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | 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 | STV-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 5 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0827T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for cytopathology, fluids, washings, or brushings, except cervical or vaginal; smears with interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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) | QW | Clia waived test | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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