Laboratory Professionals Member Community

Yes, CPT code 88172 is

reimbursable, but reimbursement depends heavily on the specific clinical context and the individual payer's policies. 

Key Considerations for Reimbursement

• Service Performed: CPT code
  88172 describes the immediate cytohistologic study and interpretation of a fine needle aspirate (FNA) specimen to determine specimen adequacy while the patient is still present.
• Components: Reimbursement can be split into professional (physician's interpretation, modifier 26) and technical components, which are billed separately depending on who provides the service and equipment.
• Limitations: The code 88172 should not be reported for an interpretation by a medical laboratory scientist alone; it is for the physician's  or cytotechnologist's assessment of the specimen's adequacy.

Just sharing: 

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is providing a member-exclusive webinar – scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 1 pm ET (12 pm CT, 11 am MT, 10 am PT) reviewing the yearly updates to the AMA's CPT code set.  In this presentation, attendees will review CPT® code changes effective Jan. 1, 2026. The presentation will detail new codes, deletions and revisions to existing codes. 

This 60-minute webinar will provide you with the knowledge to:

• Explain the impact of the new and revised CPT codes
• Describe changes to the calendar year 2026 CPT code set
• Determine potential areas of documentation improvement for new and revised codes

Just sharing: 

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is providing a member-exclusive webinar – scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 1 pm ET (12 pm CT, 11 am MT, 10 am PT) reviewing the yearly updates to the AMA's CPT code set.  In this presentation, attendees will review CPT® code changes effective Jan. 1, 2026. The presentation will detail new codes, deletions and revisions to existing codes. 

This 60-minute webinar will provide you with the knowledge to:

• Explain the impact of the new and revised CPT codes
• Describe changes to the calendar year 2026 CPT code set
• Determine potential areas of documentation improvement for new and revised codes