Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: Our lab runs a chromosome analysis for growth retardation that involves counting 10 cells for one karyotype. Can we code this as 88261 x 2 since we count 10 cells instead of five?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: No, you should not code the chromosome analysis you describe using two units of 88261 (Chromosome analysis; count 5 cells, 1 karyotype, with banding).

Cytogenetic codes 88230-88299 are "building block" codes. You should select the appropriate codes in the range that describe each step that your lab performs for a complete  cytogentic study.

In your case, the lab performs a chromosome analysis involving one karyotype and counting 10 cells. You should report the service as 88261 plus 88285 (... additional cells counted, each study).

Single unit: Notice that you should list only one unit of 88285 for the five additional cells counted, not 88285 x 5. That's because the code definition states that the unit is "each study."

You'll also notice that the definition describes "cells" (plural), meaning that you should not list the code for each additional cell counted.

Caution: You'll also notice that 88285 functions as an addon code, although CPT® doesn't designate it as such using the + symbol. The same is true for several codes in the cytogenetics section. That means you'll always need to ensure that you report a primary service code first, and only use the "additional" service codes with a primary service code.