2025 CPT code +0834T
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Digitization of glass microscope slides for cytopathology, extended study involving over 5 slides and/or multiple stains (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).
Medical necessity is established by the need for an extended cytopathology study (88162) involving numerous slides and/or multiple stains to arrive at a diagnosis. Digitization (+0834T) facilitates this process, enabling remote consultation, digital analysis, and efficient image management.
Clinical staff uses a slide-scanning microscope to scan and digitize glass slides, creating whole-slide images for diagnostic purposes. This specifically involves digitizing slides prepared for an extended cytopathology study (88162) with more than five slides and/or multiple stains, when the specimen isn't represented in another study code. The pathologist or healthcare professional subsequently evaluates and diagnoses the digitized images.
In simple words: This code covers the work of lab staff digitally scanning microscope slides of cell samples to help diagnose diseases. It's used for complex cases involving many slides or special stains and is always reported alongside another code (88162) that covers the doctor's analysis of the digital images.
Clinical staff work performed to scan and digitize whole-slide images from glass microscope slides for immediate or later pathologic diagnosis. To be reported in conjunction with 88162 for extended cytopathology studies involving more than five slides and/or multiple stains, when the specimen is not from other listed sources. The digitized slide exam may occur remotely in real-time or later from a digital archive. Computer-assisted image analysis and AI algorithms may be employed. A pathologist or other healthcare professional evaluates and diagnoses the digitized images, which are necessary for the completion of the 88162 service.
Example 1: A patient has a suspicious neck mass. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy is performed, and the sample is prepared on six slides with different stains for an extended cytopathology study (88162). The slides are digitized (+0834T) to enable remote consultation and digital analysis., A patient undergoes a bronchial washing for suspected lung cancer. Multiple samples are obtained and prepared on eight slides for an extended cytopathology study (88162). The slides are digitized (+0834T) for use with computer-aided diagnostic tools., A patient has a pleural effusion. The fluid is collected and processed for cytopathology. Due to the complex nature of the findings, seven slides are prepared for an extended study (88162). These slides are then digitized (+0834T) to allow for a thorough review and second opinion.
Documentation should include details about the number of slides digitized, the type of stains used, the reason for the extended cytopathology study (88162), and confirmation that the specimen is not represented by another study code.
** Code +0834T is specific for the digitization of slides for pathologic diagnosis and should not be used for other purposes like archiving or educational uses.
- Specialties:Pathology, Cytopathology
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Office