2025 CPT code 89272
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory - Reproductive Medicine Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Extended culture of oocytes/embryos for 4-7 days.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances. For example, modifier 90 (Reference (Outside) Laboratory) might be used if the service is performed by an outside laboratory. Modifier 79 could be used for an unrelated procedure performed on the same day. Always refer to the CPT guidelines and payer specific rules.
Medical necessity for code 89272 is established when extended culture is deemed necessary to optimize embryo development and selection for transfer in an IVF cycle or to allow for maturation of oocytes in an IVM cycle. The decision to perform extended culture is typically based on clinical factors related to the patient's fertility status, embryo quality, and the goals of the IVF cycle.
The clinical responsibility lies with the embryologist or laboratory technician who performs the technical aspects of the extended culture process. The ordering physician (typically a reproductive endocrinologist or infertility specialist) is responsible for medical decision-making and patient management related to the IVF cycle.
In simple words: This lab test involves growing one or more eggs or embryos in a special dish for 4 to 7 days to help them mature before fertilization and implantation during IVF.
This CPT code encompasses the laboratory procedure involving the extended in vitro culture of one or more oocytes or embryos for a duration of four to seven days. This extended culture period exceeds the standard incubation time and is typically performed as part of an in vitro maturation (IVM) process.The procedure involves maintaining the oocytes or embryos in a specialized artificial medium to facilitate their growth and development to maturity, preparing them for subsequent fertilization and implantation within an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle.This service is distinct from shorter-duration cultures and other reproductive medicine procedures.
Example 1: A patient undergoes an IVF cycle.Multiple oocytes are retrieved and cultured for 5 days using code 89272 to allow for extended observation and assessment of embryo development before transfer., A patient has cryopreserved embryos. The embryos are thawed and cultured for 6 days using code 89272 before being assessed for suitability for transfer as part of a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle., A patient undergoes in-vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. The immature oocytes are cultured for 7 days using code 89272 to allow them to mature before fertilization using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
* Patient demographics and relevant medical history.* Indication for IVF or IVM.* Number of oocytes or embryos cultured.* Culture media used.* Detailed daily records of embryo/oocyte development.* Date of culture initiation and completion.* Microscopic images of embryo/oocyte morphology.* Results of any ancillary testing (e.g., genetic testing).
** This code is used for extended culture of oocytes or embryos exclusively within the context of assisted reproductive technology (ART).The use of this code is highly dependent on adequate documentation of the culture duration and the technical aspects of the laboratory procedure.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available.RVUs vary based on geographic location and payer.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a laboratory procedure, not a surgical procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This code represents a complete laboratory procedure and does not have technical and professional components.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule information is not provided in the source data.Contact a fee schedule database or your payer for historical payment rates.
- Specialties:Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Clinical Embryology, Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Place of Service:Laboratory, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital Outpatient Department