How To Use CPT Code 89251

CPT 89251 describes the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos. 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 89251?

CPT 89251 can be used to describe the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos. This code is used when the analyst performs technical steps to prepare an environment for the growth and nourishment of one or more embryos or developing oocytes. The environment includes feeder cells called a co-culture, which supplement the developing cells. The culture is incubated for less than four days before being implanted into a uterus.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 89251 is: ‘Culture of oocyte(s)/embryo(s), less than 4 days; with co-culture of oocyte(s)/embryos.’

3. Procedure

1. The analyst prepares an environment for the growth and nourishment of one or more embryos or developing oocytes.
2. The environment includes feeder cells called a co-culture, which supplement the developing cells.
3. The culture is incubated for less than four days.
4. The embryos are oocytes previously inseminated with sperm and allowed to divide until they reach a four-cell stage.
5. The culture is incubated until the embryos are ready to be implanted into a uterus, before the fourth day after collection.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 89251 is used when the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days is performed with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos. This procedure is typically performed as part of an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure to increase the chances of producing a viable embryo for implantation.

5. When to use CPT code 89251

CPT code 89251 should be used when the analyst performs the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos. It should not be used for extended culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for four to seven days, which has a separate code (89272).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 89251, the analyst must document the following information:

• Details of the culture procedure, including the type of feeder cells used for co-culture
• Duration of the culture, which should be less than four days
• Any additional relevant information, such as the use of cryopreserved or fresh oocytes or embryos

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 89251, ensure that the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) is performed for less than four days with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos. Use the appropriate CPT code for extended culture (89272) if the culture duration exceeds four days. It is important to note that CPT code 89251 should not be reported with code 89272 as an add-on code.

8. Historical information

CPT 89251 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1998. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. An analyst performing a culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using fallopian tube cells as feeder cells.
2. An analyst preparing an environment for the growth and nourishment of one or more embryos or developing oocytes, including a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using uterine cells as feeder cells.
3. An analyst incubating the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using cumulus cells as feeder cells.
4. An analyst performing a culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using artificial media and controlled temperature.
5. An analyst incubating the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using controlled oxygen concentration.
6. An analyst preparing an environment for the growth and nourishment of one or more embryos or developing oocytes, including a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using a combination of feeder cells.
7. An analyst incubating the culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using cryopreserved oocytes or embryos.
8. An analyst performing a culture of oocyte(s) or embryo(s) for less than four days, with a co-culture of oocyte(s) or embryos, using fresh oocytes or embryos.
9. An analyst documenting the details of the culture procedure, including the type of feeder cells used for co-culture, for a claim of CPT 89251.
10. An analyst providing a report on the duration of the culture, which was less than four days, for a claim of CPT 89251.