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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSurgical Pathology ProceduresCPT cpt-88325-pathology-consultation-surgical-case-review
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    CPT 88325: Pathology Consultation for Referred Material

    Medicare pays $158 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88325 describes a comprehensive pathology consultation in which a qualified provider reviews referred material (such as a tissue block or slides), examines the records and specimens, and prepares a written report for a surgical case; service type: pathology consultation with case-level review and reporting; typical site of service: hospital or independent pathology laboratory accepting referral material for diagnostic consultation.

    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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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 62-year-old patient with a prior hospital surgical resection of a colon mass is referred to a tertiary pathology practice for expert review of the submitted tissue slides and paraffin block. The referring facility requests a comprehensive consultation because of unusual histologic features and need for secondary opinion to guide oncology treatment. The pathologist reviews the submitted clinical records, operative report, and all slides/blocks, performs additional stains if indicated, and issues a signed consultation report. Typical workflow: receipt and accessioning of referred material, verification of clinical data, review of original and referral slides, ordering special stains or immunohistochemistry as needed, generation of a consultation report, and communication of diagnostic opinion to the referring clinician.

    Typical site of service: hospital-based anatomic pathology laboratory, independent pathology reference laboratory, or outpatient pathology consulting service. Typical patient scenario: referral for second opinion on surgical pathology material following resection or biopsy, often for malignancy confirmation, margin assessment, or subspecialty interpretation (e.g., soft tissue, dermatopathology, or gastrointestinal pathology).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationCommon primary surgical pathology code for examination of resected tissue prior to or alongside consultations; consult may follow initial 88305 interpretation.
    88342Immunohistochemistry, per specimen; initial single antibody stainOften ordered by the consulting pathologist to clarify diagnosis during a consultation.
    88329Pathology consult on referred slides and/or tissue block(s) with report (sometimes used synonymously)Related consultative service; 88325 specifically denotes comprehensive consultation on referred material — documentation determines correct code.
    88172Cytopathology, interpretation and report for fine needle aspiratePerformed when cytology specimens accompany tissue referrals; may be part of the consultative workup.
    88312Special staining, each additional special stainSupplementary stains that support consultative diagnosis; billed when performed in addition to routine stains.

    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207T00000XNeurological Surgery PhysicianA neurological surgeon provides the operative and non-operative management (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, and reh…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    376G00000XNursing Home AdministratorAn individual, often licensed by the state, who is responsible for the management of a nursing home.
    101Y00000XCounselorA provider who is trained and educated in the performance of behavior health services through interpersonal communications and analysis. Training and …
    207ZP0101XAnatomic Pathology PhysicianA pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the labora…
    1223E0200XEndodonticsThe branch of dentistry that is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study…
    332800000XIndian Health Service/Tribal/Urban Indian Health (I/T/U) PharmacyAn Indian Health Service/Tribal/Urban Indian Health (I/T/U) Pharmacy means a pharmacy operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe or tribal…

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    26 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    A41.9Sepsis, unspecified organism
    B37.9Candidiasis, unspecified
    C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast
    C54.9Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri, unspecified
    C56.9Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary
    C61Malignant neoplasm of prostate
    C71.9Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified
    D05.91Unspecified type of carcinoma in situ of right breast
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    F33.1Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate

    Showing 1–10 of 26

    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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