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CPT® Code 88161 refers to a specific laboratory test within the field of cytopathology, which involves the preparation, screening, and interpretation of smears derived from various sources. This procedure is essential for diagnosing a range of conditions, including malignant and premalignant diseases, infections, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, immune reactions, cellular aging, and amyloidosis. Cytopathology itself is the microscopic examination of cells that either naturally shed from tissues or can be collected from body surfaces through methods such as washing or brushing. The process begins with obtaining a sample, which is typically done through a separate, reportable procedure. Once the sample is collected, a technician or pathologist prepares the slide(s) for examination. The pathologist then meticulously analyzes the prepared slide(s) under a microscope, ultimately generating a comprehensive written report detailing the findings. It is important to note that while Code 88160 is designated for screening and interpretation of samples, Code 88161 specifically applies when the sample necessitates preparation prior to the screening and interpretation process. Additionally, Code 88162 is utilized for cases requiring an extended study involving more than five slides and/or multiple staining techniques.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88161 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where cytopathological analysis is necessary. The following conditions or symptoms may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 88161 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate cytopathological analysis. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the cytopathology test associated with CPT® Code 88161 typically involves monitoring for any immediate complications related to the sample collection method. Patients may be advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results of the cytopathological analysis. The pathologist's report will provide critical information that may influence further diagnostic or therapeutic decisions. It is essential for healthcare providers to communicate the findings to the patient and determine any necessary next steps based on the results.
| Short Descr | CYTOPATH SMEAR OTHER SOURCE | Medium Descr | CYTP SMRS ANY OTH SRC PREPJ SCR&INTERPJ | Long Descr | Cytopathology, smears, any other source; preparation, screening and 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 | 4 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0833T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for cytopathology, smears, any other source; preparation, screening and 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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. | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | 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. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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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