2025 CPT code 89398
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Laboratory - Reproductive Medicine Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Identification of sperm from aspiration sources other than seminal fluid or semen.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the service provided. Consult the current CPT manual for details on modifier usage.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established when a male patient presents with infertility and azoospermia, or when there is a need to confirm sperm presence after procedures like vasectomy reversal or in cases of known or suspected testicular pathology impacting sperm production.
The clinical responsibility lies with the laboratory analyst who performs the technical aspects of the test, including microscopic examination of the aspirated specimen to identify the presence of sperm. The ordering physician is responsible for determining medical necessity and interpreting the results in the context of the patient's clinical presentation.
In simple words: This lab test checks for sperm in samples taken from a man's body, not from semen.It's used to see if sperm are present before other tests are done.
This CPT code, 89398, reports the laboratory procedure for identifying sperm from aspirated samples obtained from sources other than seminal fluid or semen.The procedure involves microscopic examination of samples obtained via techniques such as MESA, PESA, or TESA to confirm the presence of sperm before further analysis with separately billable tests.Clinicians may order this test at reproductive medicine facilities.
Example 1: A male patient presents with infertility and azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen). The physician orders MESA (microepididymal sperm aspiration) to retrieve sperm from the epididymis. The laboratory uses code 89398 to report the identification of sperm in the aspirated sample., A patient undergoing a vasectomy reversal needs sperm confirmation. After the procedure, sperm aspiration is performed, and the lab uses code 89398 to confirm the presence of sperm in the sample., A patient with a history of testicular trauma undergoes TESA (testicular sperm aspiration) for infertility workup. The laboratory uses code 89398 to bill for the identification of sperm in the sample obtained.
** This code is for the identification of sperm only.Further analysis of the sperm sample (e.g., morphology, motility) would be reported using separate codes.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: The relative value units for this code will vary based on geographic location and payer. Consult the appropriate fee schedule for specific values.
- Global Days: Not applicable
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedule data is not readily available for this code. Consult a reliable fee schedule database for historical pricing information.
- Specialties:Urology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Place of Service:Laboratory, Hospital outpatient department, Ambulatory Surgical Center