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The CPT® Code 88172 refers to a specific procedure in cytopathology known as the evaluation of a fine needle aspirate through an immediate cytohistologic study. This procedure is crucial for determining the adequacy of the specimen collected for diagnostic purposes. During a fine needle aspiration, a thin needle is used to extract fluid or tissue from a specific site in the body. The collected cells are then placed on a glass slide, where they typically form clusters of approximately ten cells each. To create a smear, another slide is laid on top of the first, allowing for an even distribution of the cells. Stains may be applied to enhance the visibility of cellular details, which aids in the examination process. The primary goal of the immediate cytohistologic study is to assess whether the specimen contains a sufficient number of cells for accurate evaluation and diagnosis. The physician conducting the examination utilizes a microscope to inspect the cell sample, with diagnostic accuracy significantly improving when there are six or more cell clusters available for review. If the initial sample is found to be inadequate, the physician may decide to repeat the aspiration procedure to obtain a better specimen. This code is specifically reported for the first evaluation episode for each site from which separate specimens are obtained, ensuring that the diagnostic process is thorough and effective.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88172 is indicated for the evaluation of fine needle aspirates when there is a need to assess the adequacy of the specimen for diagnostic purposes. This may include situations where there is a suspicion of malignancy or other diseases that require cytological examination. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 88172 involves several key steps to ensure the effective evaluation of the fine needle aspirate. The following procedural steps are outlined:
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 88172, the physician will typically provide feedback regarding the adequacy of the specimen. If the specimen is adequate, further diagnostic steps may be taken, such as reporting the findings or proceeding with additional testing as necessary. In cases where the specimen is inadequate, the physician may recommend repeating the fine needle aspiration to ensure that a sufficient sample is obtained for accurate diagnosis. Patients may be monitored for any immediate complications related to the aspiration, and follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results and any further actions required based on the findings.
| Short Descr | CYTP DX EVAL FNA 1ST EA SITE | Medium Descr | CYTP FINE NDL ASPIRATE IMMT CYTOHIST STD DX 1ST | Long Descr | Cytopathology, evaluation of fine needle aspirate; immediate cytohistologic study to determine adequacy for diagnosis, first evaluation episode, each site | 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.
| 0835T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for cytopathology, evaluation of fine needle aspirate; immediate cytohistologic study to determine adequacy for diagnosis, first evaluation episode, each site (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 88177 | Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Cytopathology, evaluation of fine needle aspirate; immediate cytohistologic study to determine adequacy for diagnosis, each separate additional evaluation episode, same site (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. | 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 | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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. | 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 | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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. | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 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. | 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 | 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 |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Long description revised. Medium description changed. Short description changed. Guideline information changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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