Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Bill Culture Despite no Growth
Question: We are performing a cytogenetic analysis on a bone marrow specimen, and after several days, it is apparent that the tissue culture didn’t grow. Is there a CPT® code that can be billed for a failed culture?
Texas Subscriber
Answer: You should bill 88237 (Tissue culture for neoplastic disorders; bone marrow, blood cells) for the bone marrow culture even if the culture doesn’t result in tissue available for the cytogenetics analysis.
CPT® coding represents the work the lab performs; it is not based on whether the test results contribute to the diagnosis.
Caution: You stated that the tissue culture was for a cytogenetics analysis. Since you did not have the tissue for that test, you should not bill for a cytogenetics analysis that was ordered but you are not able to complete, such as 88262 (Chromosome analysis; count 15-20 cells, 2 karyotypes, with banding). Bill only for the work the lab personnel performed.
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