2025 CPT code 88312
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory - Surgical Pathology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Special stain including interpretation and report for microorganisms (e.g., acid fast, methenamine silver).
Modifiers may be applicable.Modifier 26 indicates the professional component only. Modifier TC indicates the technical component only (if applicable). Modifier 59 is used to indicate a distinct procedural service.
Medical necessity is established by the clinical condition that requires the identification of specific microorganisms not readily identifiable by routine staining methods.The documentation should support the need for the specific stain performed.
The laboratory personnel perform the technical aspects of staining, while a qualified healthcare professional (e.g., pathologist) interprets the results and prepares the report.The clinician is responsible for obtaining and submitting the specimen.
In simple words: This code represents a laboratory test where a special stain is used to identify microorganisms (like certain bacteria or fungi) that are difficult to see with regular stains.The process involves staining the sample, examining it under a microscope, and creating a report of the findings.
This code covers the examination and interpretation of special stains performed on a specimen to identify microorganisms, such as acid-fast bacteria and fungi. It includes the technical and professional components of the service, including interpretation and report generation by a qualified provider (typically a pathologist).This is distinct from routine stains used for general bacterial identification (like Gram stain) and is often used for organisms that don't stain well with standard methods, such as Mycobacterium. Examples of procedures include acid-fast staining (for organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and methenamine silver staining (for fungi). The code is reported per stain, per specimen block (tissue, cytology, or hematologic smear).For frozen section blocks, use 88314. If the digitization of glass microscope slides is performed, use 0756T in conjunction with 88312.
Example 1: A patient with suspected tuberculosis undergoes a lung biopsy. An acid-fast stain (88312) is performed on the tissue sample to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis., A patient with a persistent cough has a bronchoalveolar lavage.A methenamine silver stain (88312) is performed to look for the presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungus that can cause pneumonia., A patient with a skin lesion suspected to be fungal has a biopsy. A periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain (88312) is performed to identify fungal organisms.
Documentation should include the type of special stain performed, the specimen source, the clinical indication for the stain, and the interpretation of the results.
** This code represents the professional and technical components of the service. Ensure appropriate modifier use if billing for only one component. This code is not for routine stains like Gram stain but for those requiring special techniques.
- Revenue Code: T1G (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC may be applicable if the technical component is billed separately.
- Specialties:Pathology, Infectious Disease, Pulmonology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Outpatient Hospital, Inpatient Hospital