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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesFlow Cytometry ProceduresCPT cpt-88189-flow-cytometry-interpretation-16-or-more-markers
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    CPT 88189: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 16+ Markers

    Medicare pays $81 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88189 describes the professional interpretation by a clinician, typically a pathologist, of complex flow cytometry studies evaluating 16 or more markers; this is a specialized pathology interpretation service performed on flow cytometry specimens and typically provided in a hospital laboratory, reference laboratory, or outpatient pathology setting.

    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 62-year-old patient with persistent lymphadenopathy and abnormal peripheral blood counts is referred for hematopathology workup. The clinician orders a comprehensive flow cytometry panel to evaluate for suspected hematologic malignancy (for example, lymphoma or leukemia). A specimen (peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirate, or lymph node fine needle aspiration) is collected in appropriate anticoagulant and sent to the pathology laboratory. A clinical laboratory technologist runs multicolor flow cytometry, assessing 16 or more markers to characterize cell lineage, immunophenotype, and clonality. A pathologist or board-certified clinical laboratory physician reviews histograms, dot plots, and gating strategies, integrates results with morphology and clinical history, and issues a signed interpretive report. Typical site of service is an outpatient pathology or hospital-based clinical laboratory; specimens may originate from inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, or ambulatory infusion centers.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationPerformed for concurrent tissue biopsy specimens processed for histology alongside flow cytometry to correlate morphologic findings
    88184Flow cytometry; 1–3 markers or antigens (list separately in some systems)Used when smaller limited panels are run; represents lower-complexity flow cytometry compared to 88189
    88185Flow cytometry; 4–8 markers or antigensIntermediate complexity panels that may be performed in sequential testing before or after a comprehensive panel
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureCommonly billed for obtaining peripheral blood samples used for flow cytometry testing
    88182Flow cytometry; interpretation and report onlyBilled when only the professional interpretation is reported without technical component (note: 26 modifier may apply)

    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…
    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…
    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…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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…
    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
    207R00000X
    207L00000X
    133VN1006X
    261QM1101X
    284300000X
    311ZA0620X
    1223S0112X
    207SG0201X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B20Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
    C81.90Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified site
    C83.30Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified site
    C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remission
    C91.12Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type in relapse
    C92.10Chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL-positive, not having achieved remission
    C92.12Chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL-positive, in relapse
    C95.00Acute leukemia of unspecified cell type not having achieved remission
    C95.01Acute leukemia of unspecified cell type, in remission

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

    CPT 88187: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 2–8 Markers

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

    CPT 88188: Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 9–15 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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