2025 CPT code 88120
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory - Cytopathology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Cytopathology; in situ hybridization (e.g., FISH), urinary tract specimen with morphometric analysis, 3-5 molecular probes, each specimen; manual.
Modifiers may be applicable based on specific circumstances.Consult the CPT manual and payer-specific guidelines for information on appropriate modifiers (e.g., 26 for professional component, TC for technical component).
Medical necessity for this test is established when there is clinical suspicion of bladder cancer recurrence, based on patient history, symptoms, or findings from other diagnostic tests (e.g., cystoscopy).The results can guide treatment decisions, including surveillance, further investigation, or initiation of therapy.
A laboratory analyst performs all technical steps, including specimen preparation, probe hybridization, microscopic visualization, and manual morphometric analysis.The ordering physician is responsible for clinical interpretation of the results and integration into patient care.
In simple words: A lab test analyzes a urine sample to look for specific genetic changes in the cells, helping to detect possible bladder cancer recurrence.The test uses special probes to highlight specific cell parts, and a technician manually counts and examines these highlighted areas under a microscope.
This CPT code encompasses the cytopathological examination of a urinary tract specimen using in situ hybridization (ISH) with 3-5 molecular probes.The procedure involves manual morphometric analysis, quantifying and characterizing cellular structures identified by the probes.Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a common method utilized for this analysis.The analyst prepares the specimen on a slide, hybridizes it with the probes, and then uses microscopy to visualize and manually quantify the labeled structures. The analysis is often performed to detect chromosomal abnormalities, such as in cases of suspected bladder cancer recurrence.
Example 1: A patient with a history of bladder cancer presents with hematuria (blood in urine).The physician orders this test to assess for possible recurrence of the cancer., A patient undergoing cystoscopy (examination of the bladder) has suspicious tissue samples collected.The samples are sent for analysis using this code to assess for malignant cells., In a clinical trial investigating the efficacy of a new cancer drug, urine samples are collected to monitor the effect of the drug on tumor cells. This code may be used to analyze the collected samples.
** This code is specific to manual morphometric analysis.Automated analysis would necessitate a different code.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: Information not available in provided source.Refer to current year's CPT codebook or a reliable medical billing resource for RVU values.
- Global Days: Not applicable to laboratory procedures.Global surgical periods apply to surgical procedures, not laboratory tests.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component (TC) modifier might be applicable depending on the billing arrangement between the laboratory and the physician.Specific payer-specific guidelines should be reviewed.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided source.Fee schedules vary by payer and geographic location. Consult current fee schedules or billing resources.
- Specialties:Urology, Pathology, Oncology
- Place of Service:Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Clinical Laboratory, Ambulatory Surgical Center