How To Use CPT Code 88350

CPT code 88350 describes the procedure for an additional single antibody stain following an initial stain with a different antibody. 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 88350?

CPT 88350 can be used to describe the procedure for an additional single antibody stain following an initial stain with a different antibody. This code is used when an analyst performs an immunofluorescent study using a single antibody stain procedure to detect autoimmune disease or an infectious organism in a tissue or cellular sample.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 88350 is: ‘Immunofluorescence, per specimen; each additional single antibody stain procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).’ This code should be reported in conjunction with code 88346 for the initial single antibody stain procedure. It should not be reported for fluorescent in situ hybridization studies or multiplex immunofluorescence analysis.

3. Procedure

1. The analyst applies and evaluates slides for one specific antibody stain.
2. The specimen is stained with a solution containing fluorescently labeled antibodies, which bind to specific antigens indicating autoimmune disorders or infectious organisms.
3. Excess antibody is removed during a washing phase, and the slides are dried.
4. The slides are viewed using a fluorescence microscope to identify specific diseases based on distinctive binding patterns and the type of antibody detected.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 88350 is used when an additional single antibody stain procedure is performed following an initial stain with a different antibody. This procedure is typically ordered to help diagnose autoimmune disorders or detect infectious organisms in tissue or cellular samples. It is important to note that this code should not be reported for fluorescent in situ hybridization studies or multiplex immunofluorescence analysis.

5. When to use CPT code 88350

CPT code 88350 should be used when an analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure following an initial stain with a different antibody. It is important to report this code in conjunction with code 88346 for the initial single antibody stain procedure. This code should not be reported for fluorescent in situ hybridization studies or multiplex immunofluorescence analysis.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 88350, the analyst must document the following information:

• Indication for the immunofluorescent study
• Specific antibody used for the additional single antibody stain procedure
• Date of the procedure
• Results of the analysis, including any specific diseases identified
• Signature of the analyst performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 88350, ensure that the procedure is performed as an additional single antibody stain following an initial stain with a different antibody. This code should be reported in conjunction with code 88346 for the initial single antibody stain procedure. It should not be reported for fluorescent in situ hybridization studies or multiplex immunofluorescence analysis. Payers will not reimburse for CPT code 88350 if it is reported without an appropriate primary code.

8. Historical information

CPT code 88350 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2016. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure to detect autoimmune disease in a tissue sample.
2. A cellular sample is analyzed using an additional single antibody stain procedure to identify an infectious organism.
3. Following an initial stain with a different antibody, an analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure to detect a specific disease in a tissue sample.
4. An analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure to confirm the presence of an autoimmune disorder in a cellular sample.
5. Following an initial stain with a different antibody, an analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure to detect an infectious organism in a tissue sample.
6. An additional single antibody stain procedure is performed to identify a specific disease in a cellular sample.
7. An analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure to confirm the absence of an autoimmune disorder in a tissue sample.
8. Following an initial stain with a different antibody, an additional single antibody stain procedure is performed to detect an infectious organism in a cellular sample.
9. A tissue sample is analyzed using an additional single antibody stain procedure to identify a specific disease.
10. An analyst performs an additional single antibody stain procedure to confirm the presence of an autoimmune disorder in a cellular sample.