How To Use CPT Code 88332

CPT 88332 describes the pathology consultation during surgery, specifically for each additional tissue block with frozen section(s). This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 88332?

CPT 88332 can be used to describe the pathology consultation during surgery for each additional tissue block with frozen section(s). This code is used when a pathologist provides necessary information about a specimen obtained during surgery to aid the surgeon in making decisions about further surgical procedures. Frozen sections are prepared and examined to evaluate the sample for malignancy or other abnormalities, allowing the pathologist and surgeon to make timely decisions during the operation.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 88332 is: ‘Pathology consultation during surgery; each additional tissue block with frozen section(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)’. This code should be used in conjunction with CPT code 88331.

3. Procedure

1. A consulting pathologist attends the surgical procedure to provide necessary information about a given specimen to aid the surgeon in making decisions about further surgical procedures.
2. The surgeon obtains a specimen during the procedure.
3. The pathologist prepares frozen sections by quickly freezing, thinly slicing, staining, and examining small pieces of tissue from the specimen.
4. The frozen sections are examined for malignancy or other abnormalities.
5. The pathologist’s examination may determine the course of the surgery, such as the need for additional tissue removal if suspicious cells are found in the margins of a lesion.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 88332 is used when there is a need for pathology consultation during surgery and additional tissue blocks with frozen sections are performed. This code is used to report each additional tissue block with frozen section(s) after the first tissue block. It is important to note that CPT 88332 should be reported in conjunction with CPT code 88331, which represents the primary procedure.

5. When to use CPT code 88332

CPT code 88332 should be used when there is a need for pathology consultation during surgery and additional tissue blocks with frozen sections are performed. It is important to report this code for each additional tissue block with frozen section(s) after the first tissue block. This code should be used in conjunction with CPT code 88331, which represents the primary procedure.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 88332, the following documentation is required:

• Documentation of the need for pathology consultation during surgery
• Documentation of the additional tissue block(s) with frozen section(s) performed
• Date and time of the procedure
• Details of the frozen section examination and any findings
• Signature of the pathologist performing the consultation

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 88332, it is important to ensure that the code is reported in conjunction with CPT code 88331, which represents the primary procedure. Payers may not reimburse for CPT 88332 if it is not reported with an appropriate primary code for the first tissue block. It is also important to note that CPT 88332 is an add-on code, and payers may require the use of a modifier to indicate that it is being reported in addition to the primary procedure code.

8. Historical information

CPT 88332 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code was later changed on January 1, 2011, to its current description of ‘Pathology consultation during surgery; each additional tissue block with frozen section(s)’.

9. Examples

1. A pathologist provides pathology consultation during surgery for an additional tissue block with frozen section(s) after the first tissue block.
2. During a surgical procedure, a pathologist performs frozen sections on an additional tissue block to evaluate for malignancy or other abnormalities.
3. A surgeon consults a pathologist during surgery for an additional tissue block with frozen section(s) to aid in making decisions about further surgical procedures.
4. After obtaining a specimen during surgery, a surgeon requests a pathologist to perform frozen sections on an additional tissue block for evaluation.
5. A pathologist examines frozen sections from an additional tissue block during surgery to determine the course of the procedure.
6. During a surgical procedure, a pathologist prepares frozen sections on an additional tissue block to assess for suspicious cells in the margins of a lesion.
7. A surgeon performs a primary procedure during surgery and requests a pathologist to perform frozen sections on an additional tissue block for further evaluation.
8. After obtaining a specimen during surgery, a surgeon consults a pathologist for frozen sections on an additional tissue block to aid in decision-making.
9. A pathologist examines frozen sections from an additional tissue block during surgery to provide necessary information about the specimen.
10. During a surgical procedure, a pathologist prepares frozen sections on an additional tissue block to assist the surgeon in making timely decisions.