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The CPT® Code 88184 refers to a specific laboratory procedure known as flow cytometry, which is utilized to analyze cell surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear markers. This procedure is performed on samples such as whole blood, serum, or bone marrow. Flow cytometry is a sophisticated technique that allows for the quantitative assessment of cell populations that have been tagged with fluorescent dyes. These tagged cells are suspended in a fluid medium and passed through a specialized measurement apparatus, where they are counted and analyzed based on their fluorescent characteristics. This method is particularly valuable in the diagnosis and monitoring of various hematological conditions, including lymphomas, leukemias, and autoimmune diseases. The procedure involves obtaining a sample through a separately reportable process, and the analysis can provide critical information regarding specific markers. For instance, whole blood may be tested for the expression of B-Cell CD20 to evaluate the effectiveness of rituximab therapy in patients with certain malignancies. Additionally, the presence of ZAP-70 can be assessed to stratify risk in newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. Flow cytometry can also be employed to investigate T-cell populations for clonality and phenotypical abnormalities, aiding in the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Moreover, in the context of post-bone marrow transplant patients, sorted cells from whole blood can be analyzed for chimerism, which involves examining autosomal and gender markers. Serum samples may be evaluated for basophil or mast cell IgE levels, particularly in patients experiencing chronic urticaria without identifiable exogenous allergens. The procedure is also applicable in diagnosing hematopoietic neoplasms, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and can confirm hereditary spherocytosis through the assessment of RBC Band 3 Protein Reduction. It is important to note that CPT® Code 88184 is specifically designated for the technical component of the first marker analyzed and is billed only once, while additional markers are reported using CPT® Code 88185.
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The flow cytometry procedure represented by CPT® Code 88184 is indicated for various clinical scenarios, particularly in the evaluation and management of hematological conditions. The following are specific indications for which this procedure may be performed:
The flow cytometry procedure associated with CPT® Code 88184 involves several key steps that ensure accurate analysis of cell markers. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the flow cytometry procedure represented by CPT® Code 88184, there are several considerations for post-procedure care and follow-up. The results of the flow cytometric analysis are typically reviewed and interpreted by a pathologist or laboratory specialist, who will provide a detailed report to the referring physician. This report may include information on the presence of specific markers, cell populations, and any abnormalities detected during the analysis. Patients may not require specific post-procedure care related to the flow cytometry itself, as the procedure is primarily laboratory-based and does not involve invasive techniques. However, depending on the clinical context and the results obtained, the physician may recommend further diagnostic testing, treatment adjustments, or monitoring based on the findings. It is essential for healthcare providers to communicate the results effectively to the patient and discuss any necessary follow-up actions or additional evaluations that may be warranted based on the flow cytometry results.
| Short Descr | FLOWCYTOMETRY/ TC 1 MARKER | Medium Descr | FLOW CYTOMETRY CELL SURF MARKER TECHL ONLY 1ST | Long Descr | Flow cytometry, cell surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear marker, technical component only; first marker | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 3 - Technical Component Only Code | 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 | T-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 88185 | Female Edit Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Flow cytometry, cell surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear marker, technical component only; each additional marker (List separately in addition to code for first marker) |
| 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. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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 | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | 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. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 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. | 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 | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PN | Non-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 | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | 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 | 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) | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2005-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2005. |
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