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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesFlow Cytometry ProceduresCPT cpt-88187-flow-cytometry-interpretation-2-to-8-markers
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    CPT 88187: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 2–8 Markers

    Medicare pays $36 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88187 describes the professional interpretation by a clinician, typically a pathologist, of flow cytometry studies reporting results for two to eight markers; this represents a pathology consultation service for interpretation of immunophenotyping data derived from flow cytometry performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital-based pathology service (typical site of service: clinical laboratory or hospital).

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Hematology - Adzynma, Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancer, Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverage.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 62-year-old with persistent lymphadenopathy and unexplained cytopenias referred by hematology-oncology. Peripheral blood and/or bone marrow aspirate are sent to the pathology laboratory for immunophenotyping. A flow cytometry technologist runs a panel of markers (two to eight) on a multi-parameter cytometer. A pathologist reviews dot plots, gating strategies, and marker expression, correlates findings with morphology and clinical history, and issues an interpretive report describing presence or absence of abnormal lymphoid or myeloid populations, degree of antigen expression, and diagnostic impressions such as suspected chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute leukemia immunophenotype, or reactive versus clonal populations. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital laboratory or independent clinical laboratory, and the service is billed by the interpreting physician (pathologist). The workflow includes specimen accessioning, panel setup, data acquisition, pathologist interpretation, and report generation. Clinical information commonly provided with the specimen includes CBC, differential, prior flow results, and relevant clinical history to inform marker interpretation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88184Flow cytometry interpretation and report; first marker (interpretation of 1 marker)Performed when individual single-marker interpretation is required or as part of incremental reporting in complex panels; complements 88187 when fewer markers are evaluated.
    88188Flow cytometry interpretation, each additional marker (interpretation of 9 or more markers)Used when interpretation involves large panels exceeding the 88187 range; follows 88187 if more markers are added.
    88189Flow cytometry interpretation, quantitation of specific populationsUsed when quantitation or more detailed enumeration of cell populations is required beyond the standard interpretive report.
    88305Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination (level III)May be performed on concurrent tissue specimens (nodes or bone marrow biopsies) providing morphologic correlation to flow cytometry findings.
    86355Antibody identification (e.g., immunoassay)Performed in some labs for ancillary immunophenotyping or serologic correlation to flow results.

    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…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207K00000X
    2080P0206X
    207L00000X
    363A00000X
    207RG0100X
    2084N0400X
    207QH0002X
    364SH1100X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    B20Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
    C81.90Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified site
    C83.30Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified site
    C90.00Multiple myeloma not having achieved remission
    C91.02Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in relapse
    C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remission
    C92.10Chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL-positive, not having achieved remission
    C95.90Leukemia, unspecified not having achieved remission
    D46.9Myelodysplastic syndrome, unspecified
    D47.1Chronic myeloproliferative disease

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Hematology/Oncology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Hematology - AdzynmaCigna2026-10-15
    Tumor Treating Fields for Pancreatic Cancerselect_health2026-10-01
    Axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta®) coverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) CoverageBaylor Scott & White Health Plan2026-10-01
    Electric Tumor Treatment Field Therapy (for Pennsylvania Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Epithelial Cell Cytology in Breast Cancer Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Factor VIII ProductsCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-88182-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-CELL-CYCLE-DNA-ANALYSIS

    CPT 88182: Flow Cytometry for Cell Cycle / DNA Analysis

    CPT-88184-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-TECHNICAL-FIRST-MARKER

    CPT 88184: Flow Cytometry, Single Marker (Technical Component)

    CPT-88185-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT-ADD-ON-MARKER

    CPT 88185: Flow Cytometry, Additional Marker Technical Component

    CPT-88188-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-INTERPRETATION-9-15-MARKERS

    CPT 88188: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 9–15 Markers

    CPT-88189-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-INTERPRETATION-16-OR-MORE-MARKERS

    CPT 88189: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 16+ Markers

    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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