2025 CPT code 89250
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Oocyte/Embryo Culture Reproductive Medicine Procedures Feed
Culture of oocytes/embryos for less than 4 days as part of an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of service. Consult current CPT guidelines and payer-specific rules.
Medical necessity is established by the indication for assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as infertility, genetic abnormalities, or other conditions preventing natural conception.Documentation supporting the medical necessity for ART should be included.
The embryologist or laboratory technician performs the technical aspects of culturing oocytes and embryos, including media preparation, incubation, and monitoring. The physician oversees the overall ART procedure and interprets the results.
In simple words: This lab test involves growing eggs (oocytes) or fertilized eggs (embryos) in a special dish for fewer than four days to help them develop better for use in fertility treatments.
This CPT code, 89250, reports the laboratory procedure involving the culturing of oocytes (immature eggs) or embryos for a duration of less than four days.The process includes preparing a suitable environment using artificial media (e.g., glucose, amino acids), maintaining controlled temperature and oxygen concentration, and incubating the oocytes or embryos. Embryos, in this context, refer to oocytes that have been inseminated with sperm and have undergone cell division to reach the four-cell stage.This procedure is integral to assisted reproductive technology (ART) aiming to increase the viability of embryos for implantation.
Example 1: A 35-year-old woman undergoes in-vitro fertilization (IVF).Multiple oocytes are retrieved, cultured for 3 days, and then assessed for fertilization and embryo quality before embryo transfer., A couple using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have their fertilized oocytes cultured for 2 days to reach the 4-cell stage before transfer., During preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), embryos are cultured for less than 4 days to allow for biopsy and genetic analysis before transfer.
Detailed records of the culture process, including the media used, incubation conditions, and daily observations of oocyte/embryo development.Documentation should also include the number of oocytes/embryos cultured and the final outcome of the procedure.
** Code 89250 includes culture procedures for both fresh and cryopreserved oocytes or embryos.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: Information not available in source.RVUs vary by payer and location.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a laboratory procedure, not a surgical procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This is a laboratory procedure, not a surgical procedure with technical and professional components.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in source.
- Specialties:Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology
- Place of Service:Laboratory