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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSurgical Pathology ProceduresCPT cpt-88319-enzyme-special-stain-pathology-interpretation
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    CPT 88319: Special Stain for Enzyme Constituents, With Interpretation

    Medicare pays $92 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88319 describes a pathologist-performed special stain for enzyme constituents of a patient specimen (for example, biopsy, blood, or bone marrow) that includes interpretation and a written report; service type is special histochemical staining with pathologist interpretation, and the typical site of service is a hospital or independent pathology laboratory where clinical specimens are processed and evaluated.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin Lesions, Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 56-year-old patient presents with persistent fatigue and unexplained anemia. The clinician performs a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to evaluate for hematologic disorders. The specimen is submitted to pathology for enzymatic histochemistry (special stains) to assess enzyme constituents such as myeloperoxidase, nonspecific esterase, or alkaline phosphatase. A board-certified pathologist performs the special stain, interprets staining patterns, documents findings in a pathology report, and issues a diagnostic interpretation used by the treating hematologist-oncologist to guide diagnosis and therapy.

    • Service Type: Diagnostic pathology special stain with interpretation

    • Typical Site of Service: Hospital laboratory, independent pathology laboratory, or hospital outpatient pathology service

    • Typical Patient Scenario: Adult with bone marrow biopsy for evaluation of suspected myeloid neoplasm, infectious disease evaluation, or metabolic enzyme deficiency where enzyme histochemistry assists in cell lineage determination and diagnosis.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88305Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationOften performed before or with special stains to provide initial morphologic diagnosis; special stains (88319) are added when routine morphology requires further enzymatic characterization.
    88342Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stainPerformed alongside enzymatic stains when immunophenotyping is needed to further classify cell lineage; complements enzyme histochemistry.
    88112Cytopathology, smears interpretationMay precede special stains for non-tissue specimens; in hematopathology workflows, cytology preparations can be triaged to special stains.
    89050Bone marrow examination, smear interpretationPerformed on the same bone marrow specimen; enzymatic special stains (88319) provide adjunctive information for cell lineage and enzyme activity.
    88313Special stains for microorganisms (e.g., acid-fast)Different category of special stain often performed in parallel when infection is in the differential; distinct from enzyme constituent stains but part of the stain menu.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208000000X
    207R00000X
    343900000X
    152WP0200X
    1835N1003X
    246Z00000X
    125Q00000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C25.9Malignant neoplasm of pancreas, unspecified
    C34.90Malignant neoplasm of unspecified part of unspecified bronchus or lung
    C44.319Basal cell carcinoma of skin of other parts of face
    C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified
    D46.9Myelodysplastic syndrome, unspecified
    D61.9Aplastic anemia, unspecified
    D69.6Thrombocytopenia, unspecified
    E10.9Type 1 diabetes mellitus without complications

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin LesionsAnthem2026-10-01
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains)universityofutahhealthplans2026-09-28
    AnzupgoCigna2026-09-15
    Zevaskyn Coverage for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaCigna2026-09-01
    Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid ProductsCigna2026-08-15
    Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per DaysCigna2026-08-15
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medicationsharvard pilgrim health care2026-08-11
    Dermatology - Anzupgo Prior Authorization PolicyCigna2026-08-05
    Light Therapy for Dermatologic Conditionsbcbsvermont2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-88300-LEVEL-I-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-GROSS-EXAMINATION-ACCESSIONING

    CPT 88300: Surgical Pathology, Level I Gross Examination

    CPT-88302-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-II-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88302: Surgical Pathology, Level II Gross and Microscopic Exam

    CPT-88304-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-III-GROSS-AND-MICROSCOPIC

    CPT 88304: Surgical Pathology, Level III Examination

    CPT-88305-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-IV-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88305: Surgical Pathology, Gross and Microscopic Examination, Level IV

    CPT-88307-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-LEVEL-V-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88307: Surgical Pathology Level V Examination

    CPT-88309-LEVEL-VI-SURGICAL-PATHOLOGY-EXAMINATION

    CPT 88309: Level VI Surgical Pathology Examination

    CPT-88311-DECALCIFICATION-SPECIMEN-PREPARATION

    CPT 88311: Decalcification Procedure for Tissue Specimens

    CPT-88312-SPECIAL-STAIN-MICROORGANISMS-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

    CPT 88312: Special Stain, Technical Component for Microorganisms

    CPT-88313-SPECIAL-STAIN-TECHNICAL-COMPONENT

    CPT 88313: Technical Special Stain for Group II (e.g., iron, trichrome)

    CPT-88314-FROZEN-TISSUE-HISTOCHEMICAL-SPECIAL-STAIN

    CPT 88314: Frozen Tissue Histochemical Special Stain, Interpretation

    Showing 1–10 of 47

    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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