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The CPT® Code 88332 refers to a specific pathology consultation that occurs during surgical procedures, specifically focusing on each additional tissue block that is examined with frozen sections. In this context, a tissue block is defined as a sample of tissue that has been prepared for microscopic examination, submitted as a single specimen. The role of the pathologist in this scenario is critical, as they are tasked with evaluating the tissue to ascertain the presence or absence of disease, including malignancies, and to assess whether the surgical margins are free from disease. This evaluation is essential for guiding the surgeon's decisions during the operation. The process begins with a gross examination of the tissue block, followed by its rapid freezing and slicing into thin sections for microscopic analysis. The pathologist provides an initial verbal report detailing significant findings, such as the presence of neoplasms, the extent of any disease involvement, and the status of the surgical margins. A comprehensive written report is subsequently generated and included in the patient's medical record. It is important to note that CPT® Code 88332 is used in conjunction with other codes: 88329 is reported for pathology consultations during surgery without the examination of a tissue block, while 88331 is designated for the first tissue block and its associated frozen sections. CPT® Code 88332 is specifically reserved for each additional tissue block that undergoes frozen section analysis during the surgical procedure.
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The indications for utilizing CPT® Code 88332 include scenarios where a pathologist's consultation is required during surgery to evaluate additional tissue blocks. This procedure is typically indicated in the following situations:
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 88332 involves several critical steps that ensure accurate pathology consultation during surgery. Each step is essential for the effective evaluation of the tissue block.
Post-procedure care following the use of CPT® Code 88332 involves monitoring the patient for any immediate complications related to the surgical procedure. The pathologist's findings, as documented in the written report, are critical for guiding any further treatment decisions. The surgical team may need to adjust their approach based on the pathology results, particularly if malignancy is detected or if the surgical margins are not clear. Continuous communication between the pathologist and the surgical team is essential to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
| Short Descr | PATH CONSLTJ SURG EA ADD BLK | Medium Descr | PATH CONSLTJ SURG EA ADDL BLK FROZEN SECTION | Long Descr | Pathology consultation during surgery; each additional tissue block with frozen section(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Type of Service (TOS) | 3 - Consultation | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1G - Lab tests - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 13 | CCS Clinical Classification | 234 - Pathology |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 88331 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q1 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Pathology consultation during surgery; first tissue block, with frozen section(s), single specimen | 0842T | Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N Digitization of glass microscope slides for pathology consultation during surgery; each additional tissue block with frozen section(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 88314 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Special stain including interpretation and report; histochemical stain on frozen tissue block (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | Q5 | Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area |
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| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Add-on code status changed. Long description revised. Short description changed. Guideline information changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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