2025 CPT code 88342
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory - Surgical Pathology Feed
Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stain procedure.
Modifiers 26 (Professional component) and TC (Technical component) may be used when appropriate.
Medical necessity must be established for this procedure. The documentation should support the reason for performing the IHC or ICC stain, linking it to the patient's condition and treatment plan.
The lab analyst performs the technical aspects of preparing and staining the slide. The pathologist interprets the stained slide, makes a diagnosis, and prepares a report.
In simple words: A lab test where a special stain is applied to a tissue sample to help diagnose diseases, usually cancer.The stain helps identify specific markers in the cells that can indicate the presence or absence of disease.
This code represents the application and interpretation of an initial single antibody stain on a specimen slide for immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunocytochemistry (ICC).It includes the technical preparation of the slide and the professional interpretation by a pathologist. The stain is used to identify specific antigens in the specimen, aiding in diagnosis, typically of abnormal cells like in cancer.
Example 1: A patient has a suspicious skin lesion biopsied. 88342 is reported for the initial single antibody stain to determine if the lesion is cancerous., A patient undergoes a colonoscopy with multiple biopsies taken. If the physician requests an IHC or ICC on each separate polyp, the pathologist would report code 88342 for each individual polyp/specimen., A patient has a breast biopsy. 88342 is reported for the initial antibody stain to check for hormone receptors (ER, PR) or Her2/neu, aiding in determining cancer treatment.
Documentation should include the type of specimen, the antibody used, the results of the staining, and the pathologist's interpretation and diagnosis.If additional stains are performed, they should also be documented.
** Use 0760T in conjunction with 88342 when digitization of glass microscope slides is performed. Services 88300 through 88309 include accession, examination, and reporting. They do not include the services designated in codes 88311 through 88388 and 88399, which are coded in addition when provided.
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC is applicable when billing only for the technical component of the procedure.
- Specialties:Pathology, Oncology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, other specialties depending on the specimen type.
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Outpatient Hospital, and other places where pathology services are provided.