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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesCytogenetic StudiesCPT cpt-88237-bone-marrow-blood-cell-culture-neoplastic-disorder
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    CPT 88237: Cell Culture for Neoplastic Disorders

    CPT code 88237 describes a laboratory procedure in which a lab analyst cultures cells from bone marrow or blood to grow neoplastic (tumor) cell populations for diagnostic or characterization purposes; the service is a cell culture for neoplastic disorders typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting and is classified as a laboratory diagnostic service.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia is referred for diagnostic workup. Peripheral blood smear shows circulating blasts and a bone marrow aspiration is performed by a hematology/oncology specialist. A specimen of bone marrow and a concurrent peripheral blood sample are sent to the clinical laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs a cell culture procedure to grow hematopoietic or neoplastic cells from the bone marrow and/or blood sample to support cytogenetic analysis, flow cytometry panels, and molecular testing for clonal populations.

    The clinical workflow: the clinic collects the specimen and submits it with the requisition indicating the suspected neoplastic disorder. The laboratory receives the specimen, documents accessioning, prepares culture media, inoculates specimens into appropriate culture systems, incubates under controlled conditions, monitors growth, and harvests cells at the specified time points for downstream testing (karyotype, FISH, molecular assays). Results are reported back to the ordering hematologist/oncologist to inform diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and treatment planning.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88365Morphologic examination and interpretation of bone marrow aspirate and/or biopsyPerformed to assess marrow architecture and cellularity after culture and cytogenetic studies provide additional data.
    88237Culture of cells from bone marrow or blood for neoplastic disordersPrimary procedure describing the growth of cultured cells for cytogenetic and molecular analysis.
    88262Chromosome analysis, peripheral blood or bone marrow; culture and harvestOften performed on the cells grown by this culture procedure to produce karyotypes for diagnosis.
    88271Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on cultured cellsPerformed on harvested cultured cells to detect specific chromosomal abnormalities.
    81403Molecular pathology procedure, e.g., targeted gene panel sequencingPerformed on DNA/RNA extracted from cultured cells to identify mutations relevant to neoplastic processes.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    364S00000X
    363L00000X
    3336L0003X
    231H00000X
    332800000X
    231HA2500X
    222Z00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C85.80Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified site
    C91.00Acute lymphoblastic leukemia not having achieved remission
    C91.02Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in relapse
    C91.10Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type not having achieved remission
    C91.11Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type in remission
    C92.00Acute myeloblastic leukemia, not having achieved remission
    C92.01Acute myeloblastic leukemia, in remission
    C92.10Chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL-positive, not having achieved remission
    C92.11Chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR/ABL-positive, in remission
    C93.10Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia not having achieved remission

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    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-88230-LYMPHOCYTE-TISSUE-CULTURE-NONNEOPLASTIC-DISORDER

    CPT 88230: Lymphocyte Culture for Nonneoplastic Disorder

    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-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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