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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesHematology and Coagulation ProceduresCPT cpt-85044-reticulocyte-count-manual-microscopic-evaluation
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    CPT 85044: Reticulocyte Count by Microscopic Evaluation

    CPT code 85044 describes a laboratory service in which a trained analyst evaluates a stained peripheral blood smear under a microscope to determine the reticulocyte count, a manual or microscopic diagnostic hematology procedure used to assess recent red blood cell production; this service is typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital lab and is classified as a microscopy-based hematology test for inpatient or outpatient diagnostic workups.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk Assessment, Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only), Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 55-year-old outpatient presents to the hematology clinic with new-onset fatigue and pallor. The treating physician orders a complete blood count (CBC) with peripheral smear and a reticulocyte count to evaluate for active hemolysis versus underproduction anemia. A phlebotomy technician collects a venous blood sample which is sent to the clinical laboratory. A laboratory technologist performs a stained peripheral blood smear and a qualified lab analyst evaluates the slide microscopically to determine the reticulocyte percentage and absolute reticulocyte count, documenting morphology and reticulocytosis or reticulocytopenia. Results are routed to the ordering hematologist, who integrates the reticulocyte count with CBC indices, indirect bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, haptoglobin, and direct antiglobulin test to differentiate hemolytic anemia from marrow failure. Typical sites of service include hospital laboratories, independent clinical laboratories, and outpatient clinic laboratories. Service type: Laboratory microscopic analysis of a stained blood smear for reticulocyte count (85044).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    85025Blood count; automated (RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet, and red cell indices)Often ordered concurrently as the CBC provides the red cell indices that guide the need for reticulocyte interpretation.
    85014Hemoglobin; quantitative, bloodCommonly ordered with 85044 to assess anemia severity in conjunction with reticulocyte response.
    85379Erythrocyte sickling preparation, includes incubation and evaluationPerformed when sickle cell disease is suspected; may be part of the hematology workflow alongside reticulocyte assessment.
    87122Culture, bacterial; blood, aerobic or anaerobic, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolatesNot directly related but part of comprehensive workups when infection and hemolysis overlap; included as potential concurrent lab work.
    81002Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopyUsed adjunctively when hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria is considered in hemolysis evaluation.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    363LA2200XAdult Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    174400000XSpecialistAn individual educated and trained in an applied knowledge discipline used in the performance of work at a level requiring knowledge and skills beyond…
    173000000XLegal MedicineThe specialty areas of medicine concerned with matters of, and relations with, substantive law and legal institutions; such as the conduct of medical …
    207SG0201XClinical Genetics (M.D.) PhysicianA clinical geneticist demonstrates competence in providing comprehensive diagnostic, management and counseling services for genetic disorders.
    332100000XDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) PharmacyDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA) Pharmacy means any place under VA jurisdiction where drugs are dispensed and Pharmaceutical Care is provided to en…
    207RA0201XAllergy & Immunology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist doctor of osteopathy that specializes in the treatment of allergy and immunologic disorders. A doctor of osteopathy that is board eligib…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    4 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Chemotherapy Observation or Inpatient Hospitalization (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Antibody-Drug ConjugatesPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Umbilical Cord Blood Harvesting and Storage for Future Use (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-85002-BLEEDING-TIME-TEST-LABORATORY

    CPT 85002: Bleeding Time Test, Technical Component

    CPT-85004-AUTOMATED-DIFFERENTIAL-WHITE-BLOOD-CELL-COUNT

    CPT 85004: Automated White Blood Cell Differential

    CPT-85007-MANUAL-DIFFERENTIAL-WHITE-BLOOD-CELL-COUNT

    CPT 85007: Manual Differential White Blood Cell Count

    CPT-85008-BLOOD-SMEAR-MORPHOLOGIC-REVIEW-NO-DIFFERENTIAL

    CPT 85008: Microscopic Blood Smear Examination, No Differential

    CPT-85009-MANUAL-WBC-COUNT-BUFFY-COAT

    CPT 85009: Manual White Blood Cell Count Using Buffy Coat

    CPT-85013-MICROHEMATOCRIT-TEST-LABORATORY-DIAGNOSTIC

    CPT 85013: Microhematocrit Test by Tube Centrifugation

    CPT-85014-HEMATOCRIT-VOLUME-PERCENT-RED-BLOOD-CELLS

    CPT 85014: Hematocrit (Volume Percent of Red Blood Cells)

    CPT-85018-HEMOGLOBIN-ASSAY-WHOLE-BLOOD

    CPT 85018: Hemoglobin Measurement in Whole Blood

    CPT-85025-COMPLETE-BLOOD-COUNT-CBC

    CPT 85025: Complete Blood Count (CBC)

    CPT-85027-COMPLETE-BLOOD-COUNT-HGB-HCT

    CPT 85027: Complete Blood Count with Hemoglobin and Hematocrit

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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