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The CPT® Code 88361 refers to a specialized laboratory test known as morphometric analysis, which is performed on tumor specimens using immunohistochemistry (IHC). This analysis focuses on the morphometric characteristics of tumor cells, which includes evaluating various cellular features such as size, shape, and the structural attributes of both the cell and its nucleus. Additionally, it involves determining the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio and identifying specific DNA or RNA markers that are crucial for understanding the tumor's biological behavior. Common markers analyzed through this technique include Her-2/neu, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and others like Ki-67, p53, and CD34, among others. The results of morphometric analysis can provide valuable prognostic information regarding the likelihood of tumor recurrence and the potential response to therapeutic interventions. The tissue sample for this analysis is typically obtained through a biopsy or excision, which is reported separately. In some cases, cells may be collected via fine needle aspiration. Once the sample is obtained, it is stained and examined microscopically by a pathologist, often with the assistance of computer software that enhances the analysis through digital cellular imaging. This code specifically applies to IHC studies that utilize computer-assisted technology, distinguishing it from manual procedures coded under 88360.
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The morphometric analysis using CPT® Code 88361 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed examination of tumor characteristics is necessary. This includes:
The procedure for morphometric analysis using CPT® Code 88361 involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing morphometric analysis typically involves monitoring for any complications related to the biopsy or excision. The results of the analysis are usually communicated to the physician, who will discuss the findings with the patient and determine the appropriate next steps in management based on the results. It is important for the healthcare team to ensure that the patient understands the implications of the findings and any further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions that may be necessary.
| Short Descr | TUMOR IMMUNOHISTOCHEM/COMPUT | Medium Descr | M/PHMTRC ALYS TUMOR IMHCHEM EA ANTBDY CMPTR ASST | Long Descr | Morphometric analysis, tumor immunohistochemistry (eg, Her-2/neu, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor), quantitative or semiquantitative, per specimen, each single antibody stain procedure; using computer-assisted technology | 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 | T-Packaged Codes | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 6 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
| 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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. | 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) | 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 | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | 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. | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study |
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| 2015-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2005-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2004. |
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