2025 CPT code 88106
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Cytopathology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Cytopathology; fluids, washings, or brushings (excluding cervical or vaginal); simple filter method with interpretation.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of service.Consult the most recent CPT guidelines for modifier usage.
Medical necessity for this test is established when there is clinical suspicion of a disease process affecting tissues or organs from which the fluid, washing, or brushing specimens are derived. The test is medically necessary to detect and diagnose various conditions, including infections, inflammatory processes, and malignancies.
A pathologist or similarly qualified medical professional is responsible for performing this procedure and interpreting the results.The clinical responsibility includes specimen handling, slide preparation, microscopic examination, and the generation of a comprehensive diagnostic report.This report would aid in the detection and diagnosis of diseases affecting tissues from which the sample was taken.
In simple words: This medical test involves examining a fluid sample (not from the cervix or vagina) under a microscope to look for cell abnormalities. The sample is filtered to remove extra material, then prepared and stained before examination. A doctor will then interpret the results and provide a report.
This CPT code encompasses the cytopathologic examination of fluids, washings, or brushings obtained from various sources excluding cervical or vaginal specimens.The procedure involves utilizing a simple filter method to prepare smears for microscopic analysis. The pathologist or qualified technician performs the filtration process to eliminate artifacts (e.g., red blood cell fragments) from the fluid, transferring the larger cells onto a microscope slide for staining and examination. The resulting microscopic evaluation is followed by a comprehensive interpretation and report detailing the findings.
Example 1: A patient undergoes a bronchoscopy, and bronchial washings are collected. These washings are processed using a simple filter method to remove blood and debris, creating a clearer microscopic slide for diagnosis., A patient presents with pleural effusion.Pericardial fluid is aspirated, and cytopathological evaluation using a simple filter method is performed to determine the cause of the effusion (e.g., infection, malignancy)., A patient has a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample taken, and the sample is processed using a simple filter technique to assess for the presence of malignant cells or infectious agents.
* Detailed patient history and reason for ordering the test.* Specimen source and collection method.* Description of the sample appearance (e.g., bloody, turbid).* Microscopic findings, including cell types, morphology, and any abnormalities observed.* Interpretation and diagnostic conclusions.* Any additional tests performed or recommended.
** This code excludes cervical and vaginal fluids, which are typically coded separately.Always ensure that the documentation accurately reflects the specimen source and any additional procedures performed.If the filtering method used is more complex than described, this code might not apply. If it is unclear how to code a cytopathology procedure that is not explicitly listed in the CPT codebook, 88199 (unlisted cytopathology procedure) can be used.
- Revenue Code: T1G (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Pathology, Pulmonology, Oncology, Hematology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center, Laboratory