Summary & Overview
CPT 88187: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 2–8 Markers
CPT code 88187 represents the clinician interpretation of flow cytometry studies that evaluate two to eight markers. This pathology-focused code covers the professional analysis of flow cytometry data, a critical step in diagnosing hematologic malignancies, immunophenotyping, and other conditions where cell-surface or intracellular marker patterns inform clinical decisions. Nationally, accurate coding for flow cytometry interpretation affects laboratory billing, clinical documentation, and aggregate utilization tracking.
Key payers referenced include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of coverage considerations and common payer inclusion, benchmarks for use frequency and allowed services where available, and clinical context for when 88187 is applied. The publication outlines typical sites of service, the role of the interpreting clinician, and how this code fits into laboratory workflows.
The report covers benchmarking and payer policy trends relevant to flow cytometry interpretation, practical documentation elements tied to code specificity, and areas where policy updates or coding guidance may influence billing. Data not available in the input is noted within specific sections to clarify gaps in payer-specific rates, associated taxonomies, and ICD-10 pairings.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 88187 describes the interpretation of flow cytometry results by a clinician, typically a pathologist, for assays using two to eight markers. This service involves reviewing flow cytometry data, identifying cell populations, and providing a diagnostic or consultative interpretation based on marker expression patterns.
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Service type: Clinical pathology interpretation of flow cytometry
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Typical site of service: Hospital laboratory, independent pathology laboratory, or outpatient laboratory setting
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.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician's professional component in split billing situations. |