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CPT® Code 88112 refers to a specific laboratory test known as cytopathology, which employs a selective cellular enhancement technique for the interpretation of cellular samples. This procedure is particularly useful in diagnosing a variety of conditions, including malignant and premalignant diseases, infectious or autoimmune diseases, inflammation, immune reactions, cell aging, and amyloidosis. Cytopathology itself is the microscopic examination of cells that either naturally exfoliate from body surfaces or can be collected through methods such as washing or brushing. The selective cellular enhancement technique involves the use of a brush or spatula to gather the specimen, which is then mixed in a liquid medium to suspend and preserve the cells effectively. This process allows for the filtering of the sample, ensuring that the cells are evenly distributed onto a slide in a uniform layer. The pathologist subsequently examines this slide under a microscope, providing a detailed written report of the findings. One of the key advantages of this technique is that it minimizes damage to the cells, thereby enhancing the quality of the sample by reducing the presence of blood, mucus, and other non-diagnostic debris that could obscure the cellular details necessary for accurate diagnosis.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88112 is indicated for the evaluation of various medical conditions that require cellular analysis. The following are the specific indications for performing this cytopathology test:
The procedure for CPT® Code 88112 involves several key steps that ensure the effective collection and analysis of cellular samples. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the cytopathology procedure associated with CPT® Code 88112, there are several considerations for post-procedure care. Typically, there are no specific post-procedure restrictions or care requirements for patients, as the procedure is minimally invasive and does not usually result in significant discomfort. Patients may resume normal activities immediately following the test. However, it is essential for healthcare providers to ensure that the results of the cytopathology examination are communicated to the patient in a timely manner. The pathologist's report will provide critical information that may influence further diagnostic or therapeutic actions, depending on the findings. Additionally, any follow-up appointments or additional testing should be scheduled based on the results obtained from the cytopathology analysis.
| Short Descr | CYTOPATH CELL ENHANCE TECH | Medium Descr | CYTP SLCTV CELL ENHANCEMENT INTERPJ XCPT C/V | Long Descr | Cytopathology, selective cellular enhancement technique with interpretation (eg, liquid based slide preparation method), except cervical or vaginal | 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 | 6 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0830T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for cytopathology, selective-cellular enhancement technique with interpretation (eg, liquid-based slide preparation method), except cervical or vaginal (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. | 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 | 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. | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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 | 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. | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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. | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | 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. | 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) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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 | PO | 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 | Q3 | Live kidney donor surgery and related services | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | U2 | Medicaid level of care 2, as defined by each state |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2004. |
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