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CPT 88341: Additional Single Antibody Immunohistochemical Stain
CPT code 88341 denotes an additional single antibody immunohistochemical stain performed on slides from the same patient specimen as the initial stain, with interpretation by a qualified provider to inform a pathologic diagnosis. This service is commonly used in anatomic pathology to refine tumor characterization and guide clinical management, making it a frequently encountered adjunctive procedure in surgical pathology workflows nationally. Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what the code represents, how it fits into the immunohistochemistry and surgical pathology code set, and the clinical contexts in which it is applied. The publication outlines typical sites of service, common related codes for initial and additional stains, and the clinical significance of ordering additional antibody stains for tumor and other tissue evaluation. It also summarizes payer coverage considerations and benchmarking context to help billing and coding professionals and pathologists understand documentation and coding relationships. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 88341 describes an additional single antibody immunohistochemical stain applied to slide(s) prepared from the same patient specimen as an initial antibody stain, followed by interpretation by a qualified provider to support a pathologic diagnosis. The procedure is typically used in anatomic pathology to further characterize tissue, such as tumor samples, when additional antigen detection is needed beyond the initial stain.
Service Type: Immunohistochemistry / Pathology consultative testing
Typical Site of Service: Hospital pathology laboratory or independent diagnostic laboratory (laboratory-based anatomic pathology service)
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Nationally, the average commercial network represented by BUCA posts a mean rate of $98.3 for CPT 88341, notably higher than Medicare’s mean of $65.5. That gap of $32.8 highlights a material commercial premium over the Medicare baseline; Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna sit at higher and more variable means relative to Medicare, while UnitedHealth Group and Cigna are closer to or below the Medicare mean.
Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75 minus P25) is widest for Aetna at $272.0 (P75 $327.9 minus P25 $54.1), reflecting substantial variability across contracted rates, followed by BUCA at $92.2 and Cigna at $60.6. The tightest IQRs are Blue Cross Blue Shield at $58.9 and UnitedHealth Group at $39.4, indicating relatively more consistent middle‑50% pricing for those payers.