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Official Description

Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative), manual, per specimen; initial single probe stain procedure

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative) is a specialized laboratory technique utilized primarily by pathologists and geneticists to visualize and analyze specific genes or segments of genes within biological specimens. This method employs fluorescent tagging to detect genetic abnormalities, which may include translocations, deletions, duplications, amplifications, and inversions on chromosomes, as well as in hematologic cells and solid tumor cancers. The insights gained from this analysis are crucial for determining patient eligibility for targeted therapies, planning treatment strategies, and monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing treatments. The procedure involves fixing cells onto a microscope slide and treating them to denature the DNA, converting it into single strands. A short sequence of single-stranded DNA, known as a probe, which is complementary to the target gene(s), is then tagged with fluorescent labels and applied to the slide. Following this, the DNA on the slide is allowed to hybridize with the probe, and any unbound probe is washed away. The final step involves manually examining the slide under a microscope to identify the presence of any genetic abnormalities. For billing purposes, the CPT® code 88368 is designated for the initial single probe stain procedure, while 88369 is used for each additional single probe stain performed.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative) procedure is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Detection of Genetic Abnormalities This procedure is performed to identify specific genetic abnormalities such as translocations, deletions, duplications, amplifications, and inversions that may be present in chromosomes, hematologic cells, or solid tumors.
  • Assessment of Tumor Characteristics It is utilized to analyze the genetic makeup of tumors, which can provide critical information regarding tumor behavior and potential treatment responses.
  • Patient Treatment Planning The results from this analysis can help determine patient eligibility for targeted therapies and assist in planning appropriate treatment courses.
  • Monitoring Treatment Response This procedure can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatments by assessing changes in genetic abnormalities over time.

2. Procedure

The morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization procedure involves several key steps that are essential for accurate results:

  • Step 1: Specimen Preparation The first step involves fixing the cells onto a microscope slide. This is crucial as it preserves the cellular structure and ensures that the DNA remains intact for analysis.
  • Step 2: DNA Denaturation Following fixation, the DNA within the cells is treated to denature it, converting the double-stranded DNA into single strands. This step is vital for allowing the probe to bind effectively to the target gene sequences.
  • Step 3: Probe Application A short sequence of single-stranded DNA, known as a probe, which is complementary to the target gene(s), is tagged with one or more fluorescent labels. This probe is then applied to the slide containing the denatured DNA.
  • Step 4: Hybridization The slide is incubated to allow the probe DNA to hybridize, or bind, to the complementary target DNA sequences present on the slide. This binding is essential for the subsequent detection of genetic abnormalities.
  • Step 5: Washing After hybridization, the slide is washed to remove any excess unbound probe. This step helps to reduce background noise and enhances the clarity of the results.
  • Step 6: Microscopic Examination Finally, the slide is examined manually under a microscope. The pathologist or geneticist looks for the presence of fluorescent signals that indicate the presence of genetic abnormalities, allowing for interpretation and analysis of the results.

3. Post-Procedure

After the morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization procedure, the pathologist will interpret the findings and generate a report detailing the presence or absence of genetic abnormalities. This report is critical for guiding further clinical decisions regarding patient management and treatment options. There are typically no specific post-procedure care requirements for the patient, as this is a laboratory-based procedure. However, it is essential for healthcare providers to discuss the results with the patient and outline any necessary follow-up actions based on the findings.

Short Descr INSITU HYBRIDIZATION MANUAL
Medium Descr M/PHMTRC ALYS IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION EA PROBE MNL
Long Descr Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative), manual, per specimen; initial single probe stain procedure
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 3
CCS Clinical Classification 234 - Pathology

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

0851T Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semiquantitative), manual, per specimen; initial single probe stain procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
88369 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization (quantitative or semi-quantitative), manual, per specimen; each additional single probe 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
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
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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.
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.
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
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
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2024-01-01 Changed Guideline added.
2015-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed. Guideline information changed.
2008-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2005-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2005.
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