2025 CPT code 89220
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory - Other Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Obtaining a sputum specimen using an aerosol-induced technique (as a separate procedure).
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of service. Consult the current CPT guidelines for applicable modifiers.
Medical necessity for code 89220 is established when a patient is unable to produce a sufficient sputum sample through spontaneous coughing, and the physician requires a sample for diagnostic testing (e.g., culture and sensitivity for suspected infection, AFB smear for TB). The aerosol-induced technique may be medically necessary to improve the quality and yield of the specimen.
The clinical responsibility lies with the analyst or medical laboratory technician who performs the sputum induction and collection.A physician orders the test, but the medical laboratory professional performs the procedure.
In simple words: This medical code describes a special way to collect a sputum sample (mucus from the lungs). The patient breathes in a mist to help loosen and cough up the mucus, which is then collected in a sterile container for testing. This is only billed separately if it's not part of another procedure.
This CPT code, 89220, reports the process of obtaining a sputum specimen using an aerosol-induced technique.The procedure involves the use of an ultrasonic nebulizer to create an aerosol mist inhaled by the patient to stimulate sputum production. This method is employed when a patient has difficulty producing a sputum sample through spontaneous coughing. The analyst collects the resulting sputum sample, typically for microbiological testing to identify bacterial or fungal infections or other conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis.This code is only reported when the sputum induction is performed as a distinct procedure separate from other services.
Example 1: A patient with suspected pneumonia is struggling to produce an adequate sputum sample. The physician orders aerosol-induced sputum collection using code 89220 to obtain a sufficient specimen for microbiological analysis., An elderly patient with a weak cough requires assistance in obtaining a sputum sample for tuberculosis testing. The medical laboratory technician performs aerosol-induced sputum collection (89220), improving the quality and quantity of the sample., A patient with cystic fibrosis, whose thick secretions make it challenging to expectorate sputum, benefits from aerosol-induced sputum collection (89220) before further pulmonary function tests.
* Physician's order specifying aerosol-induced sputum collection.* Documentation of the procedure performed, including the type of nebulizer used and the volume of saline solution.* Record of the amount and quality of sputum collected.* Identification of the patient and date and time of the procedure.* Proper labeling of the specimen container.
** The description emphasizes that this code is only for aerosol-induced sputum collection performed as a separate procedure. If the nebulizer use is part of a larger procedure (e.g., bronchoscopy), this code is inappropriate. Always refer to the official CPT codebook for the most up-to-date information and coding guidelines.
- Revenue Code: T1G (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided sources. Consult the current CPT codebook and Medicare fee schedules for RVU values.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a laboratory procedure, not a surgical procedure with a global period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this code.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided sources.Consult historical CPT codebooks and Medicare fee schedules.
- Specialties:Pulmonology, Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Pathology
- Place of Service:Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Physician's Office, Clinic, Laboratory