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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Inappropriate Use of Lab Codes Could Mean Trouble

Published on Sun Feb 10, 2008

Question: Our doc is using 88150 for obtaining a chlamydia sample. Is 88150 strictly for the lab to use? Georgia Subscriber Answer: Yes, you should instead count the collection of the specimen as a part of the E/M service, such as 99201-99215 (Office or other outpatient visit ...) The lab that does the interpretation should use 88150 (Cytopathology, slides, cervical or vaginal; manual screening under physician supervision), unless you pay the lab up front and are billing on its behalf. In that case, you must add modifier 90 (Reference [outside] laboratory) to the code. If this isn't the case, you are going to run afoul of the payer in no time at all. To report this code, you would also have to have the proper CLIA certificate.
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