Question 1

A physician who is performing an autopsy performed a gross examination with the brain and spinal cord. What is the correct CPT code for this necropsy procedure?

Accepted Answer

88007 is the correct code for a necropsy (autopsy) with gross examination only with the brain and spinal cord.
Code 88000 is incorrect because this code is for necropsy without central nervous system Code 88005 is incorrect because this code is for necropsy with the brain but not with the spinal cord. Code 88012 is incorrect because this code is for necropsy of stillborn or newborn with brain examination.

Question 2

A gross examination and microscopic examination was performed during an autopsy (necropsy) of an infant with the brain also examined. What is the correct CPT code for this procedure?

Accepted Answer

88028 is the correct code for gross and microscopic examination of necropsy of an infant with brain examination.
Code 88012 is incorrect because this is the code for a necropsy with only gross examination. 88020 is incorrect because this code is for a gross and microscopic necropsy without central nervous system examination. Code 88029 is incorrect because this code is for the examination of a stillborn or newborn with brain examination.

Question 3

The brushings from a bronchoscopy need to be tested. The ordering physician requests a cytopathology smear of the brushings with interpretation to be performed. What is the correct CPT code for this laboratory test?

Accepted Answer

88104 is the correct code for cytopathology of fluids, washings or brushings except cervical or vaginal sampling of smears with interpretation.
Code 88106 is incorrect because this is for cytopathology of fluids, washings or brushings except-instead of using the smear method-this is using a simple filter method. Code 88108 is incorrect because this code is using a concentration technique and code 88112 is incorrect because it is using a selective cellular enhancement technique.

Question 4

A patient needs to have forensic cytopathology run on his sperm. What is the correct laboratory CPT code for this test?

Accepted Answer

88125 is the correct code for forensic cytopathology on sources like sperm.
Codes 88130 and 88140 are incorrect because both of these codes are for sex chromatin identification. Code 88141 is incorrect because this code is for cervical or vaginal cytopathology.

Question 5

A physician orders a flow cytometry to be performed for DNA analysis. What is the correct laboratory CPT code for this test?

Accepted Answer

88182 is the correct code for flow cytometry of the cell cycle or DNA analysis.
Code 88184 is incorrect because this is the code for flow cytometry of the cell surface, cytoplasmic or nuclear marker involving only the first marker. Code 88185 is the add-on code for additional markers to be tested. Code 88187 is incorrect because this is for interpretation flow cytometry of two to eight markers.

Question 6

A patient is given a lab slip ordering chromosome analysis for breakage syndromes specifically for baseline Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) of 20-25 cells. What is the correct CPT code for this laboratory test?

Accepted Answer

88245 is the correct code for chromosome analysis for breakage syndromes for baseline SCE of 20-25 cells.
Code 88248 is incorrect because this code is for baseline breakage, core 50-100 cells, count 20 cells, and 2 karyotypes. Code 88249 is incorrect because this code is for score 100 cells, clastogen stress. Code 88261 is incorrect because this code is for chromosome analysis with count 5 cells, 1 karyotype with banding.

Question 7

A patient has a laboratory order for interpretation and report of cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics. What is the correct CPT code for this laboratory test?

Accepted Answer

88291 is the correct code for the interpretation and report of cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics.
Code 88240 is incorrect because this code is for cryopreservation. Code 88241 is incorrect because this is for thawing and expansion of frozen cells. Code 88299 is incorrect because this code is for an unlisted cytogenetic study.

Question 8

A physician needs to order a test for tissue culture for non-neoplastic disorders using amniotic fluid or chorionic villus cells. What is the correct CPT code for this laboratory test?

Accepted Answer

88235 is the correct code for tissue culture for non-neoplastic disorders using amniotic fluid or chorionic villus cells.
Code 88230 is incorrect because this code is for tissue culture of non-neoplastic disorders with lymphocyte and code 88233 is incorrect because this is the code to use for skin or other solid tissue biopsy for tissue culture. Code 88237 is incorrect because this code is for tissue culture of neoplastic disorders using bone marrow or blood cells.

Question 9

A couple is trying to conceive. The man is given a laboratory order for semen analysis for volume, count, motility and differential using strict morphologic criteria (e.g., Kruger). What is the correct CPT code for this test?

Accepted Answer

89322 is the correct code for semen analysis including volume, count, motility and differential using strict morphologic criteria (e.g., Kruger).
Code 89300 is incorrect because this code is for semen analysis for the presence and/or motility of sperm including Huhner test (post coital). Code 89320 is incorrect because this code is for semen analysis including volume, count, motility and differential but isn't using specific criteria for morphology. Code 89321 is incorrect because this is the code for semen analysis with sperm present and motility of sperm if performed.

Question 10

A woman wants to have her eggs cryopreserved. This is going to be done using mature oocytes. What is the correct CPT code for this procedure?

Accepted Answer

89337 is the correct code for cryopreservation of mature oocytes. This code does not include the code for storage.
Code 89335 is incorrect because this is cryopreservation of testicular reproductive tissue. Code 89352 is incorrect because this code is for thawing of cryopreserved embryos and 89398 is incorrect because this is the code for unlisted reproductive medicine laboratory procedure.

Question 11

What is the correct CPT code for the insemination of oocytes?

Accepted Answer

89268 is the correct code for insemination of oocytes.
Code 89264 is incorrect because this code is for sperm identification from testis tissue, either fresh or cryopreserved. Code 89272 is incorrect because this code is for extended culture of oocytes or embryos. Code 89280 is incorrect because this code is for assisted oocyte fertilization using the microtechnique for less than or equal to 10 oocytes.

Quiz 9: Laboratory and Pathology