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The CPT® Code 88173 refers to the process of cytopathology, specifically the evaluation of a fine needle aspirate (FNA) through interpretation and reporting. This procedure involves the collection of fluid or tissue samples using a fine needle, which is then placed on a slide for examination. During this process, the cells are organized into clusters, typically consisting of around 10 cells each. A smear is created by placing another slide on top of the first, allowing for the cells to be spread out for better visualization. Stains may be applied to enhance the cellular details, making it easier to identify any abnormalities. The primary goal of this evaluation is to detect signs of disease, particularly malignancy. In conjunction with this code, CPT® Code 88172 is relevant as it pertains to an immediate cytohistologic study that assesses the adequacy of the specimen collected. The physician examines the sample microscopically to ensure that there are enough cells for a reliable evaluation and diagnosis. The accuracy of the diagnosis improves significantly when there are at least six cell clusters available for review. If the sample is deemed inadequate, the aspiration procedure may need to be repeated. CPT® Code 88173 is specifically reported for the first evaluation episode for each site from which separate specimens are obtained. Once an adequate cell sample is confirmed, the physician conducts a thorough examination under a microscope to identify any signs of malignancy or other diseases. The interpretation provided by the physician will detail the characteristics of the cells, categorizing them as clearly benign, clearly malignant, or indeterminate, which indicates that a definitive diagnosis cannot be established. A comprehensive written report is generated to document the findings of this evaluation.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88173 is indicated for the evaluation of fine needle aspirates in various clinical scenarios. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 88173 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate evaluation and diagnosis. The following procedural steps are outlined:
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 88173, the patient may be monitored for any immediate complications, although the procedure is generally well-tolerated. The physician will provide the patient with information regarding the next steps based on the findings of the cytopathology report. If the results indicate malignancy or other significant findings, further diagnostic testing or treatment may be recommended. In cases where the sample was inadequate, the physician may discuss the possibility of repeating the fine needle aspiration to obtain a sufficient specimen for evaluation. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results and any necessary interventions.
| Short Descr | CYTOPATH EVAL FNA REPORT | Medium Descr | CYTP EVAL FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATE INTERP & REPORT | Long Descr | Cytopathology, evaluation of fine needle aspirate; interpretation and report | 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.
| 0837T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for cytopathology, evaluation of fine needle aspirate; interpretation and report (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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | 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 | 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 | 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 | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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. | 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. | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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. | 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. | 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 | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PC | Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient | V5 | Vascular catheter (alone or with any other vascular access) |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. Guideline information changed. |
| 2001-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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