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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesCytogenetic StudiesCPT cpt-88230-lymphocyte-tissue-culture-nonneoplastic-disorder
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    CPT 88230: Lymphocyte Culture for Nonneoplastic Disorder

    CPT code 88230 describes a laboratory procedure in which lymphocytes are cultured to evaluate nonneoplastic disorders; the service involves growing a tissue culture, typically from a blood sample, to assess lymphocyte function or response. This is a specialized laboratory service performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting and is commonly ordered by clinicians evaluating immune function or unexplained hematologic findings.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Oral Cancer Screening and Testing, RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old patient presents to an outpatient hematology clinic with a history of recurrent unexplained lymphopenia and recurrent infections. The ordering physician requests lymphocyte culture and functional testing to evaluate for primary immunodeficiency or immune dysregulation. A phlebotomy technician collects peripheral blood; the specimen is sent to the clinical laboratory. A certified laboratory analyst performs a lymphocyte culture using peripheral blood lymphocytes to assess proliferative responses and to detect nonneoplastic lymphoid disorders. The laboratory documents specimen receipt, culture setup (including media, mitogens or antigens used), incubation conditions, monitoring for growth, and reporting of results. Results are routed to the ordering hematologist or immunologist who integrates culture findings with flow cytometry, serologies, and clinical history to guide diagnosis and management. Typical sites of service include hospital outpatient laboratories, independent clinical reference laboratories, and hospital inpatient laboratories when evaluation is performed during admission.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureBlood draw required to obtain peripheral blood specimen for lymphocyte culture setup.
    86361Immunoassay for infectious agent antibody(ies) or antigen(s), qualitative or semiquantitative; single step methodSerologic testing often performed alongside cultures to evaluate immune responses or infectious triggers.
    88360Special stains for microorganisms (e.g., Fite, Grocott)May be ordered on tissue specimens when lymphoid proliferation or infection is suspected; complements culture findings.
    87210Smear, primary source with interpretation; direct smear, includes culture when applicableMicrobial smear and preliminary evaluations that can be done in conjunction with cultures in the lab.
    86353Lymphocyte proliferation assay (e.g., mitogen stimulation)Functional assays of lymphocyte proliferation frequently performed in the same workflow as lymphocyte cultures to assess immune function.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RH0000X
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    207LP2900X
    2279C0205X
    152W00000X
    363LP1700X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Oral Cancer Screening and TestingOscar Health2027-01-01
    RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin DeficiencyOscar Health2027-01-01
    Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic Testing for Neurological Disorders (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic and Molecular TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Next Generation Sequencing for Minimal Residual Disease DetectionProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Non-Covered Genetic Panel TestsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-88233-TISSUE-CULTURE-SKIN-SOLID-TISSUE-NONNEOPLASTIC

    CPT 88233: Tissue Culture for Nonneoplastic Disorders

    CPT-88235-AMNIOTIC-FLUID-CHORIONIC-VILLUS-TISSUE-CULTURE

    CPT 88235: Tissue Culture Preparation from Amniotic Fluid or Chorionic Villi

    CPT-88237-BONE-MARROW-BLOOD-CELL-CULTURE-NEOPLASTIC-DISORDER

    CPT 88237: Cell Culture for Neoplastic Disorders

    CPT-88239-SOLID-TUMOR-CELL-CULTURE-NEOPLASTIC-DISORDER

    CPT 88239: Cell Culture From Solid Tumor for Neoplastic Disorder

    CPT-88240-CELL-LINE-CRYOPRESERVATION-STORAGE

    CPT 88240: Cryopreservation and Storage of Cell Line

    CPT-88241-THAW-AND-EXPAND-FROZEN-CELLS-SINGLE-ALIQUOT

    CPT 88241: Thaw and Expand Previously Frozen Cells, Single Aliquot

    CPT-88245-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-SISTER-CHROMATID-EXCHANGE-SCE

    CPT 88245: Chromosome Analysis for Sister Chromatid Exchange

    CPT-88248-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-BREAKAGE-SYNDROME

    CPT 88248: Chromosome Analysis for Breakage Syndromes

    CPT-88249-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-BREAKAGE-SYNDROME-CLASTOGEN-STRESS

    CPT 88249: Chromosome Analysis for Breakage Syndrome, 100-Cell Clastogen Test

    CPT-88261-CHROMOSOME-ANALYSIS-KARYOTYPE-BANDING

    CPT 88261: Chromosome Analysis, Karyotype with Banding

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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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