How To Use CPT Code 88341

CPT 88341 refers to the immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry procedure for each additional single antibody stain per specimen. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 88341.

1. What is CPT 88341?

CPT 88341 is a code used to describe the immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunocytochemistry (ICC) procedure performed on a specimen, specifically for each additional single antibody stain. This code is typically used in conjunction with CPT 88342, which describes the initial single antibody stain procedure. The purpose of this procedure is to aid in the diagnosis of abnormal cells in conditions such as cancer by evaluating specimens using more than one stain.

2. 88341 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 88341 is: “Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; each additional single antibody stain procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)”.

3. Procedure

The 88341 procedure involves the following steps:

1. Obtaining a specimen, typically formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue.
2. Cutting and mounting the tissue onto slides.
3. Adding reagents to prepare slides to receive the stain.
4. Applying a different single antibody stain than the first one that CPT 88342 describes.
5. Using either IHC stains on tissue or ICC stains on cells.
6. Examining the additional antibody stained slides under a microscope by a qualified provider, typically a pathologist.
7. Interpreting the findings to reach a pathologic diagnosis and preparing a report for the ordering clinician.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Eligibility for CPT code 88341 services is determined by the following criteria:

• The procedure is performed on a specimen that has already undergone an initial single antibody stain procedure (CPT 88342).
• The additional single antibody stain is different from the initial stain.
• The stain is either immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunocytochemistry (ICC).
• The procedure is performed by a qualified provider, typically a pathologist.
• The purpose of the procedure is to aid in the diagnosis of abnormal cells in conditions such as cancer.

5. When to use CPT code 88341

It is appropriate to bill the 88341 CPT code when the following conditions are met:

• An additional single antibody stain is performed on a specimen that has already undergone an initial single antibody stain procedure (CPT 88342).
• The additional stain is different from the initial stain and is either IHC or ICC.
• The procedure is performed by a qualified provider, typically a pathologist, who interprets the findings and prepares a report for the ordering clinician.
• The purpose of the procedure is to aid in the diagnosis of abnormal cells in conditions such as cancer.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 88341, the following information must be documented:

• A detailed description of the additional single antibody stain procedure, including the type of stain used (IHC or ICC) and the specific antibody applied.
• Confirmation that the additional stain is different from the initial stain performed under CPT 88342.
• Identification of the qualified provider who performed the procedure, typically a pathologist.
• A comprehensive report of the pathologist’s interpretation of the stained slides and the resulting pathologic diagnosis.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 88341, keep in mind the following guidelines and rules:

• Report this code for each additional antibody stain per specimen, regardless of the number of blocks or stained slides prepared.
• Use this code only for qualitative IHC or ICC stains. For quantitative or semiquantitative IHC or ICC staining, see codes in the range 88360 to 88361.
• Do not use CPT 88341 for a multiplex stain, which uses multiple antibodies. Instead, use CPT 88344 for each multiplex antibody stain procedure.
• As an add-on code, CPT 88341 must be reported with an appropriate primary code, such as CPT 88342.
• If billing only for the technical work, append modifier TC (Technical component) to the code. If billing only for the professional work, append modifier 26 (Professional component) to the code.

8. Historical information

CPT 88341 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2015. There have been no updates since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 88341

Five similar codes to CPT 88341 and how they differ are as follows:

• CPT 88342: Describes the initial single antibody stain procedure per specimen.
• CPT 88344: Describes each multiplex antibody stain procedure per specimen, which uses multiple antibodies.
• CPT 88360: Describes the manual procedure for quantitative or semiquantitative IHC or ICC staining.
• CPT 88361: Describes the computer-assisted procedure for quantitative or semiquantitative IHC or ICC staining.
• CPT 0761T: Describes the digitization of glass microscope slides when performed in conjunction with CPT 88341.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 88341 procedures:

1. A pathologist performs an additional IHC stain for estrogen receptor (ER) on a breast cancer specimen after an initial IHC stain for progesterone receptor (PR) was performed (CPT 88342).
2. An additional ICC stain for CD20 is performed on a lymphoma specimen after an initial ICC stain for CD3 (CPT 88342).
3. A pathologist performs an additional IHC stain for HER2/neu on a breast cancer specimen after an initial IHC stain for Ki-67 (CPT 88342).
4. An additional IHC stain for p53 is performed on a colon cancer specimen after an initial IHC stain for MLH1 (CPT 88342).
5. A pathologist performs an additional IHC stain for S100 on a melanoma specimen after an initial IHC stain for HMB-45 (CPT 88342).
6. An additional ICC stain for CD34 is performed on a leukemia specimen after an initial ICC stain for CD117 (CPT 88342).
7. A pathologist performs an additional IHC stain for synaptophysin on a neuroendocrine tumor specimen after an initial IHC stain for chromogranin A (CPT 88342).
8. An additional IHC stain for CK7 is performed on a lung cancer specimen after an initial IHC stain for TTF-1 (CPT 88342).
9. A pathologist performs an additional IHC stain for CD10 on a renal cell carcinoma specimen after an initial IHC stain for vimentin (CPT 88342).
10. An additional ICC stain for CD56 is performed on a neuroblastoma specimen after an initial ICC stain for GD2 (CPT 88342).