2025 CPT code 88333
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology - Surgical Pathology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Pathology consultation during surgery; cytologic examination (e.g., touch prep, squash prep), initial site.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of service.For example, modifier -26 (professional component) might be used if only the professional interpretation is billed and not the technical component.Consult the CPT manual and local payer guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for code 88333 is established when intraoperative cytologic evaluation is required to guide surgical decision-making during a procedure.The need for immediate diagnostic information is critical for determining appropriate surgical management of the patient.
A consulting pathologist provides information about the specimen to assist the surgeon during the operation.The pathologist performs the cytological examination (e.g., touch prep, squash prep) of the tissue sample.
In simple words: During surgery, a pathologist quickly examines a small tissue sample to help the surgeon decide what to do next.This quick check helps determine if the tissue is cancerous or not.
This CPT code, 88333, represents a pathology consultation during a surgical procedure that includes a cytologic examination of the initial site.The cytologic examination uses techniques like touch preps or squash preps to quickly evaluate tissue samples, aiding the surgeon in making immediate decisions during the operation.This rapid assessment of cells helps determine the type of tissue or presence of malignancy.
Example 1: A surgeon performs a lumpectomy for breast cancer.During the procedure, frozen section analysis is needed to assess the margins. The pathologist performs a touch prep cytology of the surgical margins, and the code 88333 is used to report this service., A patient undergoes a colonoscopy, and a suspicious polyp is identified.A frozen section analysis of the polyp is requested to determine whether further resection is necessary. Code 88333 is used for the pathologist's cytologic examination performed during the procedure., A patient is undergoing a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy).Frozen section analysis is used to assess lymph nodes.The pathologist uses a squash prep cytology of the lymph nodes and this service is reported with 88333.
The medical record should include the operative report, pathology report specifically detailing the cytologic examination (including the method used, e.g., touch prep), and the number of sites examined (initial site for 88333).The report should state the clinical indication for frozen section and the results of the cytologic examination.
** Always refer to the most current CPT manual for accurate coding and billing information. This information is for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for professional coding advice.
- Revenue Code: T1G (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text.Consult the current CPT codebook or your payer's fee schedule for RVU values.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is not a surgical procedure with a global period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier -TC (technical component) is not typically used with this code, as the professional component is usually the focus of the billing.If the technical component is billed separately, additional clarification might be needed regarding billing policies.
- Fee Schedule: Fee schedule information is not provided.Consult fee schedules from your payer or local sources for historical and current payment amounts.
- Specialties:Surgical Pathology, General Surgery, Oncology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient