2025 CPT code 88230
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Cytogenetic Studies Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Tissue culture for non-neoplastic disorders; lymphocyte.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure. Modifier 59 may be used to indicate a distinct procedural service, and modifier 91 may be used for repeat laboratory tests. Other modifiers might apply based on payer-specific guidelines.
Medical necessity for 88230 must be supported by the clinical indication for the testing.The documentation should clearly explain why the lymphocyte culture is necessary for the diagnosis or management of the patient's non-neoplastic condition.
The laboratory analyst performs the technical steps involved in culturing the lymphocytes. This includes processing the patient's blood sample, transferring it to a culture medium, and incubating it under specific conditions to promote cell growth.
In simple words: This test helps grow white blood cells called lymphocytes in a lab, usually from a blood sample.It is used when a patient has a condition that is not cancer. Growing the cells makes it easier to test them and figure out what's going on. It's like planting seeds (lymphocytes) in a special garden (culture) so you have more to study.
This code represents the laboratory procedure for culturing lymphocytes for non-neoplastic disorders.It typically involves using a blood sample, culturing the lymphocytes in a specific medium, and incubating them for a period of time to allow for cell growth and multiplication, preparing them for further analysis such as chromosome analysis or flow cytometry. This procedure is distinct from tissue cultures derived from skin biopsies (88233) or other solid tissue biopsies. The purpose is to increase the number of lymphocytes for diagnostic testing related to non-neoplastic conditions.
Example 1: A physician orders a lymphocyte culture (88230) for a patient suspected of having Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder. The cultured lymphocytes will be used for chromosome analysis to confirm the diagnosis., A patient presents with symptoms suggestive of a genetic immune deficiency. The physician orders 88230 to obtain a sufficient quantity of lymphocytes for flow cytometry analysis to assess immune cell function., A child is born with ambiguous genitalia. To determine the underlying cause and genetic makeup, the doctor orders a lymphocyte culture (88230) for subsequent chromosomal analysis and genetic testing.
Documentation should include the reason for the lymphocyte culture, the source of the specimen (typically blood), and the intended use of the cultured cells (e.g., chromosome analysis, flow cytometry). Any relevant clinical findings and the patient's medical history related to the non-neoplastic disorder should also be documented.
- Revenue Code: T1H - LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE)
- Specialties:Clinical Genetics, Hematology, Immunology, Pathology
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Hospital Outpatient, Office