CPT 88360: Immunohistochemistry, Single Antibody Interpretation

Medicare pays $84 and commercial payers pay $118 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 88360 describes immunohistochemistry testing where a laboratory analyst applies a single antibody stain to slides from a single patient specimen (commonly tumor tissue) and a qualified provider evaluates the stained slides, including manual counting or estimating stained cells, to interpret results and provide a pathologic diagnosis; service type: immunohistochemistry / anatomic pathology interpretation; typical site of service: hospital pathology lab or independent diagnostic laboratory.

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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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Across national payers, Medicare's mean rate of $83.6 sits modestly below BUCA's average commercial mean of $118.00 for CPT 88360, indicating commercial BUCA payments are roughly $34.40 higher than Medicare on average. This gap highlights a typical commercial premium versus Medicare but still places BUCA near the mid-range of commercial payers overall.

Dispersion measured by the interquartile range (P75–P25) varies notably: Aetna has the widest spread at $110.00 ($174.20 - $60.20), followed by Blue Cross Blue Shield at $62.30 and Cigna at $78.40. UnitedHealth Group's spread is $59.70. BUCA's spread is $68.10, while Medicare's IQR is $75.00. Aetna is the most variable and UnitedHealth Group the tightest among those with full quartile data.

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CPT 88360: Immunohistochemistry, Single Antibody Interpretation

Medicare pays $84 and commercial payers pay $118 on average nationally for this procedure.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 88360 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 88360 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old woman undergoes a diagnostic core needle biopsy of a suspicious right breast mass. The surgical pathology laboratory receives formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from the procedure. A histology technician prepares glass slides and the laboratory applies a single immunohistochemical (IHC) antibody stain for estrogen receptor (ER) on sections from that single patient specimen. A pathologist reviews the stained slide under light microscopy, assesses staining intensity and proportion of tumor cell nuclei that are positive, manually estimates or counts positive cells as required, integrates morphologic findings with the IHC result, and issues a signed pathology report documenting ER status and a pathologic interpretation.

Typical workflow steps:

Specimen accessioning and labeling by the histology team.
Slide preparation: sectioning, mounting, and fixation of tissue onto slides.
Application of a single antibody stain (IHC) by histotechnologist or automated stainer.
Quality control checks on staining adequacy.
Pathologist review, manual counting/estimation of positive cells, and interpretation.
Final pathology report transmitted to ordering clinician (surgical oncologist or breast surgeon).

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88361`	Morphometric analysis, tumor immunohistochemistry (eg, Her-2/neu, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor), quantitative or semiquantitative, each antibody; using computer-assisted technology	Ancillary quantitative analysis that may be reported in addition to manual IHC interpretation when computer-assisted morphometry is used.
`88341`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen – each additional stain	Used when more than one antibody stain is performed on the same specimen in addition to the single-stain service.
`88342`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen – first single/multiplex stain	Represents the first IHC stain on a specimen; `88360` is related when pathologist interpretation and manual counting are involved.
`88344`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen – another related stain	Applies when related additional stains are performed on the specimen and reported separately alongside the initial IHC.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
90	Modifier ‑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…
91	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…	- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207ZP0102X	Anatomic Pathology & Clinical Pathology Physician	A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the labora…
207ZP0104X	Chemical Pathology Physician	A chemical pathologist has expertise in the biochemistry of the human body as it applies to the understanding of the cause and progress of disease. Th…
207ZP0105X	Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine Physician	A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the labora…
374U00000X	Home Health Aide	A person trained to assist public health nurses, home health nurses, and other health professionals in the bedside care of patients in their homes.
163WC0400X	Case Management Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
2080P0206X	Pediatric Gastroenterology Physician	A pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children and adolescents. This speciali…
213ER0200X	Radiology Podiatrist	Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
163WC1600X	Continuing Education/Staff Development Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products	Cigna	2026-08-15
Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days	Cigna	2026-08-15
Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medications	harvard pilgrim health care	2026-08-11
Pharmacologic Treatment of Psoriasis	Premera Bluecross	2026-08-01
Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical Acne	Cigna	2026-08-01
Spevigo (spesolimab‑sbzo) for generalized pustular psoriasis	UnitedHealthcare	2026-08-01
Onychomycosis Testing	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-08-01
Spesolimab-sbzo (Spevigo	blue cross blue shield - tennessee	2026-07-31
Home ultraviolet light therapy equipment for skin conditions	select_health	2026-07-01

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.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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Typical workflow steps:

Specimen accessioning and labeling by the histology team.
Slide preparation: sectioning, mounting, and fixation of tissue onto slides.
Application of a single antibody stain (IHC) by histotechnologist or automated stainer.
Quality control checks on staining adequacy.
Pathologist review, manual counting/estimation of positive cells, and interpretation.
Final pathology report transmitted to ordering clinician (surgical oncologist or breast surgeon).

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`88361`	Morphometric analysis, tumor immunohistochemistry (eg, Her-2/neu, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor), quantitative or semiquantitative, each antibody; using computer-assisted technology	Ancillary quantitative analysis that may be reported in addition to manual IHC interpretation when computer-assisted morphometry is used.
`88341`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen – each additional stain	Used when more than one antibody stain is performed on the same specimen in addition to the single-stain service.
`88342`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen – first single/multiplex stain	Represents the first IHC stain on a specimen; `88360` is related when pathologist interpretation and manual counting are involved.
`88344`	Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen – another related stain	Applies when related additional stains are performed on the specimen and reported separately alongside the initial IHC.

Related Modifiers

8 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
76	Modifier -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…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
90	Modifier ‑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…
91	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…	- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207ZP0102X	Anatomic Pathology & Clinical Pathology Physician	A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the labora…
207ZP0104X	Chemical Pathology Physician	A chemical pathologist has expertise in the biochemistry of the human body as it applies to the understanding of the cause and progress of disease. Th…
207ZP0105X	Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine Physician	A pathologist deals with the causes and nature of disease and contributes to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment through knowledge gained by the labora…
374U00000X	Home Health Aide	A person trained to assist public health nurses, home health nurses, and other health professionals in the bedside care of patients in their homes.
163WC0400X	Case Management Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
2080P0206X	Pediatric Gastroenterology Physician	A pediatrician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive systems of infants, children and adolescents. This speciali…
213ER0200X	Radiology Podiatrist	Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
163WC1600X	Continuing Education/Staff Development Registered Nurse	Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverage	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Topical Acne-Non-Retinoid Products	Cigna	2026-08-15
Dermatology - Vtama Drug Quantity Management Policy - Per Days	Cigna	2026-08-15
Medical Necessity Guidelines: Acne and Rosacea Medications	harvard pilgrim health care	2026-08-11
Pharmacologic Treatment of Psoriasis	Premera Bluecross	2026-08-01
Winlevi (clascoterone 1% cream) — Topical Acne	Cigna	2026-08-01
Spevigo (spesolimab‑sbzo) for generalized pustular psoriasis	UnitedHealthcare	2026-08-01
Onychomycosis Testing	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-08-01
Spesolimab-sbzo (Spevigo	blue cross blue shield - tennessee	2026-07-31
Home ultraviolet light therapy equipment for skin conditions	select_health	2026-07-01

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.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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 88360: Immunohistochemistry, Single Antibody Interpretation

Sign up for cpt 88360 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

CPT 88360: Immunohistochemistry, Single Antibody Interpretation

Sign up for cpt 88360 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 88360: Immunohistochemistry, Single Antibody Interpretation

Sign up for cpt 88360 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

CPT 88360: Immunohistochemistry, Single Antibody Interpretation

Sign up for cpt 88360 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 88360 describe?

How does CPT 88360 relate to other IHC or ancillary codes like 88341, 88342, or 88361?

What clinical scenario in the page context illustrates use of 88360?

Which diagnoses are relevant to reporting CPT 88360 based on the provided related diagnoses?

For what types of providers and sites of service is CPT 88360 typically used?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 88360 describe?

How does CPT 88360 relate to other IHC or ancillary codes like 88341, 88342, or 88361?

What clinical scenario in the page context illustrates use of 88360?

Which diagnoses are relevant to reporting CPT 88360 based on the provided related diagnoses?

For what types of providers and sites of service is CPT 88360 typically used?

References