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The CPT® Code 88350 refers to the procedure of immunofluorescence performed on a specimen, specifically for each additional single antibody stain procedure. This laboratory test is crucial for identifying antibodies within various types of specimens, which may include tissue sections, cultured cell lines, or individual cells. The process utilizes fluorescent staining techniques in conjunction with either an epifluorescence or confocal microscope to visualize the presence of specific antibodies. In the context of primary (direct) immunofluorescence, a single antibody is chemically linked to a fluorophore, allowing it to recognize and bind to the epitope region of the target antigen. Upon binding, the fluorophore emits light at a specific wavelength, which can be detected using the aforementioned microscopy techniques. Alternatively, secondary (indirect) immunofluorescence employs two antibodies: an unlabeled primary antibody that attaches to the target antigen and a labeled secondary antibody that binds to the primary antibody. This method allows for signal amplification, as multiple secondary antibodies can attach to a single primary antibody. It is important to note that while code 88346 is used to report the immunofluorescence for the initial single antibody stain, code 88350 is designated for each additional single antibody staining performed on the specimen.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88350 is indicated for the detection of specific antibodies in various specimens. The following conditions or scenarios may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for immunofluorescence, as described by CPT® Code 88350, involves several key steps that ensure accurate identification of antibodies within the specimen. The following procedural steps outline the process:
Post-procedure care for immunofluorescence testing primarily involves the interpretation of results and any necessary follow-up actions. After the microscopy examination, the results are analyzed to determine the presence and intensity of the immunofluorescent signal, which indicates the presence of specific antibodies. Clinicians may need to correlate these findings with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests to arrive at a comprehensive diagnosis. Additionally, proper documentation of the findings is essential for future reference and for any potential follow-up testing or treatment decisions. There are no specific recovery considerations for patients, as this procedure is typically performed in a laboratory setting and does not involve direct patient intervention.
| Short Descr | IMFLUOR EA ADDL 1ANTB STN PX | Medium Descr | IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE PR SPEC EA ADD SINGL ANTB STN | Long Descr | Immunofluorescence, per specimen; each additional single antibody stain procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 9 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 0846T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for immunofluorescence, per specimen; each additional single antibody stain procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 88346 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Immunofluorescence, per specimen; initial single antibody stain procedure | 0846T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for immunofluorescence, per specimen; each additional single antibody stain procedure (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. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | 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. | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | 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. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GT | Via interactive audio and video telecommunication systems | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short and Medium Descriptions changed. Guideline added. |
| 2016-01-01 | Added | Added |
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