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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesFlow Cytometry ProceduresCPT cpt-88188-flow-cytometry-interpretation-9-15-markers
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    CPT 88188: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 9–15 Markers

    Medicare pays $60 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88188 represents a pathologist’s interpretation and report of flow cytometry data evaluating nine to 15 immunophenotypic markers; this is a professional interpretive service typically performed by a clinician trained in pathology or laboratory medicine and is usually provided in an anatomic pathology laboratory or hospital-based pathology service as part of diagnostic flow cytometry testing.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A hematology-oncology patient presents with progressive lymphadenopathy, unexplained cytopenias, or an abnormal peripheral blood smear suggesting a possible lymphoproliferative disorder. The treating team orders flow cytometry to evaluate lymphoid and myeloid cell populations. A pathologist or clinical laboratory immunologist performs interpretation of multi-parameter flow cytometry panels covering nine to 15 markers (CPT 88188) to characterize cell lineage, maturation, clonality, and aberrant antigen expression.

    The clinical workflow: after the clinician obtains a specimen (peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirate, or lymph node fine-needle aspirate), the specimen is sent to the flow cytometry laboratory. Technologists prepare and run multi-color antibody panels. The pathologist reviews cytometric histograms, dot plots, and quantitative marker expression and generates an interpretive report including gating strategy, percent populations, immunophenotype, and diagnostic impression (for example, consistent with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute leukemia with aberrant myeloid markers, or reactive lymphocytosis). The interpreted report guides downstream care such as targeted molecular testing, hematology referral, chemotherapy selection, or surveillance.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88184Flow cytometry, diagnostic; up to 3 markers or parametersMay be used when a limited 1–3 marker panel is sufficient instead of a larger panel; precedes or complements 88188 when fewer markers are required.
    88185Flow cytometry, diagnostic; 4-8 markers or parametersUsed for moderate panels; may be billed instead of 88188 if only 4–8 markers are interpreted.
    88189Flow cytometry, diagnostic; 16 or more markers or parametersUsed when large, high-parameter panels exceed the 9–15 marker range of 88188.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationPerformed on excised lymph node or tissue; pathology report complements flow cytometry interpretation for definitive diagnosis.
    81341BCR-ABL1 (e.g., molecular testing)Molecular tests often follow flow cytometry to confirm or further characterize hematologic malignancies identified by immunophenotype.

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207R00000X
    207L00000X
    207SG0205X
    273100000X
    363LA2200X
    320700000X
    207RP1002X

    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-88187-FLOW-CYTOMETRY-INTERPRETATION-2-TO-8-MARKERS

    CPT 88187: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 2–8 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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