Summary & Overview
CPT 0855T: Digital Whole‑Slide Image Scanning for Pathology
CPT code 0855T is an add–on code for clinical staff time spent scanning and digitizing whole–slide images from glass microscope slides to support immediate or deferred pathologic diagnosis. It is used specifically in conjunction with one unit of 85097 (bone marrow smear slide preparation and interpretation). The code matters nationally as pathology services adopt digital workflows; documenting scanning labor separately clarifies billing for digital slide preparation and supports consistent coding of laboratory pathology services.
Key payers referenced in national analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for digital whole–slide imaging, the operational service setting (clinical laboratories and hospital pathology departments), and how 0855T is applied as an add–on to bone marrow smear services. The publication also covers payer coverage patterns, commonly used modifiers, and benchmarking considerations where available. Where specific payer policy or rate data are not provided, the report notes that such data are not available in the input.
This summary is intended as a concise guide to the purpose and application of CPT code 0855T, helping revenue cycle, coding, and pathology teams understand when and why to report the add–on code for digitizing slides associated with 85097.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 0855T describes clinical staff work to scan and digitize whole–slide images from glass microscope slides for immediate or later pathologic diagnosis. The code is reported as an add–on service to digitizing slides associated with one unit of 85097, which covers bone marrow smear slide preparation and interpretation.
Service type: Pathology support — digital whole-slide imaging (clinical staff scanning and digitization)
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital pathology department
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient presents to the hematology service with pancytopenia and suspected marrow pathology. The hematology team obtains a bone marrow aspirate and peripheral blood smears. Laboratory clinical staff prepare bone marrow smear slides for microscopic review and perform whole-slide imaging using a digital scanner so pathologists can review high-resolution images for immediate diagnostic interpretation or for archived consultation. Clinical staff scanning and digitizing the prepared bone marrow smear slides are reported with 0855T as an add-on to the slide preparation and interpretation code for bone marrow smear, 85097. Typical workflow: specimen receipt and accessioning → glass slide preparation (85097 slide prep/interpretation) → slide labeling and quality check → whole-slide scanning by trained technologist → image QC and upload to pathology PACS → pathologist review and diagnostic reporting. Typical site of service is an outpatient pathology laboratory, hospital-based pathology department, or independent diagnostic testing facility supporting hematology and oncology services.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services |