Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Modifier indicator change from '1' to '0' ties labs' hands.Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) 16.1, Physician Version, appeared to open the door for reporting a medically necessary complete blood count (CBC) with subsequent transcutaneous hemoglobin later in the day -- as has and continues to be allowed for APC facility billing according to the current Hospital APC version of CCI. But CCI 16.2 slams that door shut.Think Twice Before Coding 2 HemoglobinsIf you've got your own lab, it might get a request for two medically necessary hemoglobin tests by different methods in a single day for the same patient. You won't be able to bill for both, according to CCI 16.2.CCI has bundled 88738 (Hemoglobin [Hgb], quantitative, transcutaneous) with 85025 (Blood count; complete [CBC], automated [Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC, and platelet count] and automated differential WBC count) and 85027 (... complete [CBC], automated [Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC, and platelet count]) since Jan. [...]