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Special staining techniques are essential in the field of pathology to enhance the visualization of microorganisms, cells, and tissue structures that may not be easily identifiable through standard staining methods. These techniques involve a series of meticulous steps that begin with the fixation of the specimen. Fixation is crucial as it preserves the internal structure of the organism, cell, or tissue, preventing any damage that could occur during subsequent processing. This can be achieved using chemical fixatives or by freezing the specimen. Once the tissue is fixed, it must be prepared for slicing, which involves cutting it into very thin sections using a vibratome, a specialized instrument designed for this purpose. After slicing, the specimen undergoes treatment with various reagents, solutions, and stains that are specifically formulated to highlight particular features or components of the micro-organism, cell, or tissue. This targeted staining allows for a more detailed examination under a microscope, facilitating the identification of specific cellular structures or pathological changes. Following the staining process, the results are carefully interpreted by a qualified professional, and a comprehensive written report of the findings is generated. It is important to note that CPT® Code 88313 is designated for Group II special stains, which encompass all other staining techniques excluding those specifically for microorganisms, enzyme constituents, and immunohistochemistry. For Group I special stains related to microorganisms, CPT® Code 88312 should be utilized.
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Special stains, including those classified under CPT® Code 88313, are indicated for a variety of diagnostic purposes. These stains are utilized when there is a need to visualize specific cellular components or structures that are not adequately highlighted by routine staining methods. The following conditions may warrant the use of special stains:
The procedure for performing special stains under CPT® Code 88313 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate results. Each step is designed to prepare the specimen adequately and facilitate the visualization of specific features:
Post-procedure care following the application of special stains typically involves ensuring that the stained slides are properly preserved and stored for future reference. The pathologist may review the findings with the clinical team to discuss the implications of the results. Additionally, any necessary follow-up testing or further diagnostic procedures may be recommended based on the findings reported. It is essential to maintain accurate documentation of the staining process and results, as this information is critical for ongoing patient care and treatment planning.
| Short Descr | SPECIAL STAINS GROUP 2 | Medium Descr | SPCL STN 2 I&R EXCPT MICROORG/ENZYME/IMCYT | Long Descr | Special stain including interpretation and report; Group II, all other (eg, iron, trichrome), except stain for microorganisms, stains for enzyme constituents, or immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry | 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 | 8 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 0757T | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for special stain, including interpretation and report, group II, all other (eg, iron, trichrome), except stain for microorganisms, stains for enzyme constituents, or immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry (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. | 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 | 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 | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 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 | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | TA | Left foot, great toe | 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. | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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 | 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. | 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 | T5 | Right foot, great toe | 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. | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | T1 | Left foot, second digit | T9 | Right foot, fifth digit | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PC | Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | PT | Colorectal cancer screening test; converted to diagnostic test or other procedure | Q3 | Live kidney donor surgery and related services | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | T2 | Left foot, third digit | T3 | Left foot, fourth digit | T4 | Left foot, fifth digit | T6 | Right foot, second digit | T7 | Right foot, third digit | T8 | Right foot, fourth digit | X3 | Episodic/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians who have broad responsibility for the comprehensive needs of the patient that is limited to a defined period and circumstance such as a hospitalization; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to the hospitalist's services rendered providing comprehensive and general care to a patient while admitted to the hospital | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2012-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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