Summary & Overview
CPT 88360: Morphometric Tumor Immunohistochemistry Analysis
Headline: CPT 88360: Quantitative Tumor Immunohistochemistry Analysis Gains Clinical and Billing Focus
Lead: CPT 88360 designates morphometric analysis of tumor immunohistochemistry, providing quantitative or semiquantitative results per antibody stain. Its use supports tumor characterization and treatment decision-making, particularly in oncology diagnostic workflows.
What the code represents and national relevance CPT 88360 describes a laboratory pathology procedure that quantifies immunohistochemical staining in tumor specimens. Nationally, the code matters because immunohistochemical quantification informs therapeutic choices (for example, hormone receptor or HER2-directed therapy) and supports standardized reporting across institutions.
Key payers covered This overview addresses coverage considerations for major payers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
What readers will learn
Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context for CPT 88360, common payer coverage landscapes, relevant accompanying pathology codes, and coding distinctions that affect billing (such as professional versus technical components). The publication includes benchmarking and policy considerations relevant to laboratory and hospital pathology services, procedural coding interactions, and examples of typical clinical indications tied to immunohistochemistry reporting.
Scope and limitations Service line metadata is not provided. Data not available in the input for service line-specific volume or utilization metrics.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 88360 is for morphometric analysis of tumor immunohistochemistry performed on a pathology specimen, providing quantitative or semiquantitative measurement for each antibody (for example, Her-2/neu or estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor). This procedure converts immunohistochemical staining into measured values to support diagnostic and prognostic assessment of tumor biology.
Service Type: Pathology / Laboratory – Surgical Pathology Procedures
Typical Site of Service: Laboratory / Pathology setting (e.g., Hospital or independent lab)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old woman with a newly diagnosed breast mass undergoes core needle biopsy. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is sent to the pathology laboratory. After routine hematoxylin and eosin evaluation identifies invasive carcinoma, immunohistochemical stains for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are performed. A morphometric, quantitative or semiquantitative analysis is requested for ER on the stained slide to determine receptor status for therapy planning. The laboratory performs the technical steps (staining, slide scanning or image capture) in the pathology/laboratory setting; a pathologist or qualified laboratory physician performs or reviews the morphometric interpretation and documents the quantitative or semiquantitative result in the pathology report.
Coding Specifications
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Modifier
26(Professional Component): Used when only the professional component is reported by the interpreting pathologist or physician (reporting the morphometric interpretation) without the technical component of staining or imaging. -
Modifier
TC(Technical Component): Used when only the technical component is provided (staining, slide preparation, image acquisition) by the laboratory or facility without the professional interpretation. -
Modifier
59(Distinct Procedural Service): Used when the morphometric analysis represented by the CPT code is distinct from other services performed on the same day, indicating a separate procedural service.