CPT Code Overview

CPT 88360 is for morphometric analysis of tumor immunohistochemistry performed on a pathology specimen, providing quantitative or semiquantitative measurement for each antibody (for example, Her-2/neu or estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor). This procedure converts immunohistochemical staining into measured values to support diagnostic and prognostic assessment of tumor biology.

Service Type: Pathology / Laboratory – Surgical Pathology Procedures

Typical Site of Service: Laboratory / Pathology setting (e.g., Hospital or independent lab)

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old woman with a newly diagnosed breast mass undergoes core needle biopsy. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is sent to the pathology laboratory. After routine hematoxylin and eosin evaluation identifies invasive carcinoma, immunohistochemical stains for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are performed. A morphometric, quantitative or semiquantitative analysis is requested for ER on the stained slide to determine receptor status for therapy planning. The laboratory performs the technical steps (staining, slide scanning or image capture) in the pathology/laboratory setting; a pathologist or qualified laboratory physician performs or reviews the morphometric interpretation and documents the quantitative or semiquantitative result in the pathology report.

Coding Specifications

• Modifier 26 (Professional Component): Used when only the professional component is reported by the interpreting pathologist or physician (reporting the morphometric interpretation) without the technical component of staining or imaging.

• Modifier TC (Technical Component): Used when only the technical component is provided (staining, slide preparation, image acquisition) by the laboratory or facility without the professional interpretation.

• Modifier 59 (Distinct Procedural Service): Used when the morphometric analysis represented by the CPT code is distinct from other services performed on the same day, indicating a separate procedural service.

Provider Taxonomies

• Anatomic Pathology & Clinical Pathology (207ZP0102X): Represents pathologists performing surgical pathology and morphometric analyses.

• Cytopathology (207ZP0104X): Represents specialists who may perform immunohistochemistry and morphometric evaluation on cytology specimens when applicable.

• Forensic Pathology (207ZP0105X): Represents forensic pathologists; included as an associated taxonomy when morphometric methods are applied in medicolegal contexts.

Related Diagnoses

• C50.911 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast

  • Clinical relevance: Breast carcinoma specimens frequently undergo immunohistochemistry with morphometric analysis for ER/PR to guide systemic therapy decisions.

• C50.912 — Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast

  • Clinical relevance: As with right-sided disease, left breast malignancies require receptor quantitation for treatment planning; morphometric analysis documents receptor expression.

• D05.10 — Lobular carcinoma in situ of unspecified breast

  • Clinical relevance: Lobular carcinoma in situ may prompt receptor testing in certain clinical contexts; morphometric immunohistochemistry can be applied if tissue and clinical indications warrant.

• Z17.0 — Estrogen receptor positive status [ER+]

  • Clinical relevance: A documented Z17.0 indicates ER positivity; morphometric analysis provides the quantitative or semiquantitative data underpinning this status.

• Z17.1 — Estrogen receptor negative status [ER-]

  • Clinical relevance: A documented Z17.1 indicates ER negativity; morphometric analysis can confirm lack of receptor expression and support this diagnosis.

Related CPT Codes

• 88361: Represents the same morphometric analysis delivered using computer-assisted technology; alternative to the primary code when computer-assisted quantitation is specifically performed.

• 88342: Represents the first immunohistochemical stain performed on a specimen (for example ER); typically precedes morphometric analysis and is commonly billed in the same workflow.

• 88341 and 88344: Represent additional or related immunohistochemical stains on the same specimen (for example PR, HER2) and are commonly billed together with the primary morphometric analysis when multiple antibodies are evaluated.

• Common usage: 88342 (first stain) plus 88341/88344 (additional stains) are performed as part of the technical staining process; 88360 is reported for the morphometric quantitation of each antibody when applicable, and 88361 is used instead when computer-assisted technology is employed.

National commercial mean rates are generally higher than Medicare for CPT 88360. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna show higher mean rates ($95.58 and $107.82 respectively) compared with the BUCA (average commercial) mean of $90.97 and Medicare at $83.57. Aetna’s mean exceeds Medicare by $24.25, while BUCA’s mean is $7.40 above Medicare.

Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies by payer. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the widest spread (125.00 - 55.25 = $69.75), followed by Cigna (111.67 - 43.17 = $68.50). UnitedHealth Group and BUCA are tighter (UHC: $94.00 - $54.67 = $39.33; BUCA: $105.75 - $58.00 = $47.75). Medicare’s interquartile range is $75.00 (116.00 - 41.00), and Aetna’s is $47.44 (110.78 - 63.33). The table and chart below present the full breakdown.