CPT 0961T: Shortwave Infrared Imaging for Lymph Node Localization

CPT code 0961T denotes an add-on pathology imaging service using shortwave infrared radiation to locate lymph nodes within fibroadipose tissue from surgical specimens. The code captures use of spectral imaging to improve localization and visualization of lymphatic structures during specimen examination—potentially impacting surgical staging and downstream pathology workups. Nationally, emerging imaging adjuncts like this are important as pathology services adopt advanced intra-specimen visualization techniques that complement grossing and microscopic analysis.

Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of the code’s clinical context, intended service setting, and how it is described for billing. The publication also summarizes payer coverage landscape for major national plans, common billing modifiers associated with imaging and pathology add-on services, and where to find related coding guidance.

The content provides clinical context for pathology and surgical teams, coding and billing leads, and revenue cycle staff, outlining how the service augments specimen evaluation and the typical operational settings where the code is used. Data not available in the input will be noted where relevant.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 0961T is an add-on imaging service that uses shortwave infrared radiation imaging on a surgical pathology specimen to assist in locating lymph nodes within fibroadipose tissue. The technique enhances visualization of structures within excised tissue that may be difficult to identify using standard grossing or light-based methods.

Service Type: Pathology imaging add-on

Typical Site of Service: Hospital pathology laboratory, outpatient surgical pathology grossing area, or freestanding pathology lab

Data not available in the input.

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult undergoing surgical excision of a breast tumor with sentinel lymph node mapping. After operative removal, the surgical pathology team receives the fibroadipose specimen containing potential lymph nodes. The provider performs shortwave infrared radiation imaging to assist in locating lymph nodes within the fatty tissue before gross dissection and sectioning.

Workflow: The specimen is inked and oriented, then imaged using a shortwave infrared device in the pathology gross room. The imaging highlights lymphatic structures not easily visible on standard white-light inspection, guiding targeted sampling. Identified nodes are dissected, measured, and submitted as separate tissue blocks for histologic evaluation. Imaging results are documented in the pathology gross description and used to direct additional levels or ancillary studies as needed.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the imaging required substantially greater work or technical effort than typical for this add-on service.
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician interpretation portion and the technical component is billed separately.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
2085P0200X	Pathology	Surgical pathologists frequently perform or supervise specimen imaging and gross dissection.
207Q00000X	Anatomic Pathology	Providers specialized in anatomic pathology interpret results and coordinate tissue processing.
2080P0001X	Surgical Pathology	Surgical pathologists involved in intraoperative and postoperative specimen evaluation.
207L00000X	Cytopathology	May be involved when node sampling leads to cytology preparation or rapid onsite evaluation.
207X00000X	Laboratory Director	Laboratory directors oversee technical imaging procedures and instrument compliance.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C50.911`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Sentinel lymph node imaging and localization are commonly performed for breast cancer staging and pathology evaluation.
`C50.912`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast	Same relevance for left-sided breast cancer resections requiring node localization.
`C79.81`	Secondary malignant neoplasm of bone	May prompt lymph node evaluation during staging workup and pathologic assessment if regional nodes are sampled.
`C77.3`	Secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of axillary and upper limb lymph nodes	Directly related to pathology assessment of lymph nodes removed from the axillary basin.
`Z85.3`	Personal history of malignant neoplasm of breast	Prior breast cancer history often necessitates careful lymph node examination during recurrent or contralateral procedures.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`0961T`	Shortwave infrared radiation imaging on a surgical pathology specimen (add-on)	This is the add-on imaging service performed to locate lymph nodes within fibroadipose tissue during gross pathology evaluation.
`88300`	Level I surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	Common subsequent billing when small numbers of tissue blocks including identified nodes are processed and examined microscopically.
`88305`	Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination	Used when the identified lymph nodes require more complex microscopic examination and reporting.
`88342`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stain	May be performed on lymph node tissue to characterize tumor markers after nodes are identified.
`88329`	Pathology consultation during surgery (frozen section)	Performed intraoperatively when immediate assessment of node status is required; imaging may guide which nodes are submitted for frozen section.

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Summary & Overview