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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSurgical Pathology ProceduresCPT cpt-88323-pathology-consultation-slide-preparation
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    CPT 88323: Pathology Consultation with Slide Preparation

    Medicare pays $78 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88323 describes a pathologist consultation on referred surgical material (for example, a tissue block) that includes preparation and staining of slides and issuance of a consultation report; the service is a pathology consultation billed per surgical case and is typically provided in an outpatient pathology laboratory or hospital-based pathology service where diagnostic slide preparation and review occur.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage, Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products, Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient scenario involves a community surgeon or dermatologic clinician who has excised a lesion and submits the paraffin-embedded tissue block or unstained slides to a pathology laboratory for expert review. A pathologist performs a consultative case review that may include preparing and staining additional slides from a received block, microscopic examination, and issuance of a diagnostic report. The workflow often begins when a specimen is sent from an outside facility or when subspecialty review is requested by the treating provider. The laboratory accessioning team documents receipt, the histology staff prepares and stains required sections, and a pathologist interprets the findings and generates a consultation report. The unit of service for 88323 is the surgical case, and billing is typically performed by the consulting pathologist for a single referred case, regardless of the amount of material received. Typical sites of service include hospital-based pathology laboratories, independent reference pathology laboratories, and outpatient surgical centers that send material for external pathology consultation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationCommon primary surgical pathology code for initial diagnostic examination of tissue; 88323 may be billed when materials are referred for consultation after initial processing.
    88342Immunohistochemistry, each antibody (single or multiplex)Often performed after consultation to clarify diagnosis; may be ordered by the consulting pathologist.
    88331Special staining, per specimen; initial single stainSpecial stains prepared by histology during consultative review and billing coordination with 88323.
    88360Morphometric analysis, quantitative, per specimenUsed when additional quantitative analysis is needed following the consultative review.
    88329Pathology consultation during surgery (intraoperative)Intraoperative frozen section consultation differs from 88323 which is a referral consult on prepared material; both can be part of the same patient episode.

    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…
    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…
    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 CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    208100000XPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation PhysicianPhysical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    2086S0127XTrauma Surgery PhysicianTrauma surgery is a recognized subspecialty of general surgery. Trauma surgeons are physicians who have completed a five-year general surgery residenc…
    2080P0006XDevelopmental - Behavioral Pediatrics PhysicianA developmental-behavioral specialist is a pediatrician with special training and experience who aims to foster understanding and promotion of optimal…
    2086P0122XPhysician Nutrition Specialist (Surgery)A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of primary nutritional diseases (e.g., undernutrition, overnutrition, and genetic or acquir…
    332U00000XHome Delivered MealsHome-delivered meals are those services or activities designed to prepare and deliver one or more meals a day to an individual's residence in order to…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    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
    Pharmacologic Treatment of PsoriasisPremera Bluecross2026-08-01
    Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical AcneCigna2026-08-01
    Spevigo (spesolimab‑sbzo) for generalized pustular psoriasisUnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Onychomycosis Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-08-01
    Spesolimab-sbzo (Spevigoblue cross blue shield - tennessee2026-07-31
    Home ultraviolet light therapy equipment for skin conditionsselect_health2026-07-01

    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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