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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Gynecology:

Answer 3 Questions to Bolster Your Biopsy Coding Efficiency

Published on Tue Jan 17, 2012

The number of biopsy units doesn't always go by the number of samples.Are you sure you're getting the reimbursement your ob-gyn deserves for biopsy procedures? Take this quiz and avoid the many pitfalls of biopsy coding and billing.Background: A biopsy is a tissue sample that the ob-gyn excises from the patient to ascertain the presence of cancer. Ob-gyns will most likely perform biopsies of the vulva, cervix, vagina, endometrium and ovary(s). Ob-gyns usually order a biopsy as a result of abnormal vaginal bleeding or after the detection of a mass, cyst, lump, tumor or cells of abnormal appearance.Best bet: You should code all of your biopsies with the copy of the pathology report to back up your diagnoses. Make this a rule when you're coding biopsies, and your claim is sure to sail.Scenario 1: Lap-to-Open Biopsy Procedure Requires This CodeThe ob-gyn performs an ovarian biopsy laparoscopically. The biopsy reveals malignancy, [...]
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