2025 CPT code 88334
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology - Surgical Pathology Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Feed
Additional cytologic examination (e.g., touch prep, squash prep) during surgery, each additional site.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of the service.Consult the CPT manual and payer-specific guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity is established when intraoperative assessment of additional tissue sites is needed to guide the surgeon's decision-making during a procedure.The absence of this real-time information could delay or alter the surgical approach potentially affecting patient outcomes.
The clinical responsibility lies with the consulting pathologist who performs the intraoperative cytologic examination to provide immediate diagnostic information to the surgeon.
In simple words: This code is for extra tests done on tissue samples during surgery.If the surgeon needs more information about a tissue sample, a pathologist quickly looks at the sample under a microscope and gives the surgeon information to help them decide how to proceed with the surgery.This code is only used if there were already tests done on a sample (using code 88331 or 88333) from the same patient and this code is for every additional test done on the same patient's tissue after the first.
This CPT code, 88334, reports the pathology consultation during surgery for cytologic examination (such as touch preparation or squash preparation) for each additional site beyond the initial site.It is an add-on code and requires the reporting of a primary procedure code (88331 or 88333) for proper reimbursement.The service involves the rapid evaluation of tissue to aid the surgeon in making timely decisions during the procedure. Each separately identified site requiring individual examination receives a separate code.
Example 1: A surgeon excises a breast mass and requests a consultation. The pathologist performs a frozen section (88331) and then examines three additional touch preps from the margins (88334 x 3) to ensure clear margins., During a colonoscopy, a suspicious polyp is discovered.The surgeon sends a small piece to the pathologist, who performs an initial cytologic examination (88333) followed by an additional examination of another section from the polyp (88334)., During a lung biopsy, multiple samples are obtained. The pathologist performs the initial cytologic analysis (88333) and then assesses two additional samples from distinct locations within the lung (88334 x 2).
Detailed operative report indicating the need for intraoperative consultation, pathologist's report specifying the number of sites examined, and the number of slides prepared.Specific location of each examined site should be noted.
** This code is specifically for intraoperative cytologic evaluation.It should not be used for non-intraoperative cytologic examinations (see codes 88160-88162).
- Revenue Code: T1G (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- RVU: Relative Value Units (RVUs) vary depending on geographic location and payer.Consult the appropriate fee schedule for current values.
- Global Days: Not applicable.This is an add-on code.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Technical Component (TC) modifier is not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedules are not readily available and will vary based on geographic location and payer.
- Specialties:Pathology, Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center