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Flow cytometry is a sophisticated laboratory technique utilized to analyze the characteristics of cells or particles in a fluid as they pass through a laser or other light source. The procedure involves the measurement of cell surface, cytoplasmic, or nuclear markers in various biological samples, including whole blood, serum, and bone marrow. During flow cytometry, an antigen/antibody reaction is employed to study specific proteins located on the cell membrane, as well as intracellular proteins, peptides, and DNA. The flow cytometer, which is a specialized instrument, is controlled by a computer program that manages the data acquisition process. As cells flow through the laser beam, they scatter light and emit fluorescence, which is detected and analyzed by the system. The results are displayed in the form of histograms and graphs, allowing for the visualization of the separation of cells based on their physical and chemical properties. The physician interprets the collected data, identifying the specific instrument and software used for the analysis. A comprehensive written interpretation is provided, detailing the findings and identifying the cells of interest for further study. CPT® Code 88187 specifically pertains to the interpretation of flow cytometry results involving 2 to 8 markers, while codes 88188 and 88189 are designated for the interpretation of 9-15 markers and 16 or more markers, respectively.
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The flow cytometry interpretation using CPT® Code 88187 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where the analysis of cell markers is essential for diagnosis or treatment planning. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for flow cytometry interpretation involves several key steps that ensure accurate analysis of the cell markers. The following outlines the procedural steps:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing flow cytometry interpretation is generally minimal, as the procedure itself is non-invasive and does not require recovery time. However, it is important for healthcare providers to communicate the results to the patient in a timely manner. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to discuss the findings and any subsequent steps in diagnosis or treatment. Additionally, if the flow cytometry results indicate the need for further testing or intervention, appropriate referrals or additional diagnostic procedures should be arranged. Continuous monitoring of the patient's condition may also be warranted based on the interpretation of the flow cytometry results.
| Short Descr | FLOWCYTOMETRY/READ 2-8 | Medium Descr | FLOW CYTOMETRY INTERPJ 2-8 MARKERS | Long Descr | Flow cytometry, interpretation; 2 to 8 markers | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 2 - Professional 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 | Code Not Recognized by OPPS when submitted on Outpatient Hospital Part B Bill Type (12x/13x) | 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 |
| 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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | 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. | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | FS | Split (or shared) evaluation and management visit | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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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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