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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Lab Testing Is an Important Aspect of Anthrax Coding
With the threat of bioterrorism becoming a reality, clinicians are often the first l... Read more
An Anthrax Primer
 "Because most of us have not dealt with this disease before, a primer on b... Read more
More Blood Collections Mean More Testing, Coding for Labs
Despite record blood collections averaging 20,000 to 25,000 units a day since the... Read more
Reader Question:
Ectopic Pregnancy
Question: Which diagnosis code should we use for  evaluation of abnormal products o... Read more
Reader Question:
Pap Smears for Hysterectomy Patients
Question: We began reporting screening Pap smears for patients who have previously had a... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Tonsils With Lymphoma
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before loo... Read more
Bill Within CLIA Certification To Avoid Denials and OIG Investigation
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued a report pointing out "widesprea... Read more
Differentiate Source, Procedure for Helicobactor Pylori Tests
Diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease (PUD, 533.x) and certain other gastric disorders is... Read more
News Brief:
Prepare for ICD-9 Code Changes
The annual update of ICD-9 includes the addition of about 60 codes, including one... Read more
News Brief:
No Changes for Pathology in CCI 7.3
Version 7.3 of CMS Correct Coding Initiative edits , effective Oct. 1, 2001, through Dec... Read more
Reader Question:
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Question: We used to bill sentinel lymph node biopsy as CPT 88305, plus additional codes f... Read more
Reader Question:
ABNs for Noncovered Tests
Question: When must I get a signed ABN for a noncovered test? I have read in authorita... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Pap Smear
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation bef... Read more
Special Rules To Follow for Hepatitis Testing
Coverage for hepatitis tests generally depends on appropriate documentation of signs... Read more
Medicare Specifies Code for Post-Hysterectomy Pap Smears
Medicare has refined coding for screening Pap smears for patients who have had a ... Read more
Medicare Clarifies Requirement for TC Grandfather Exception
In a clarification issued as program memorandum B-01-50, CMS amended its earlier instructi... Read more
Reader Question:
Unbundling
Question: We have not been able to unbundle certain pathology codes . For example, a ... Read more
Reader Question:
Monitoring Services
Question: We operate a CLIA-waived-status lab that performs routine monitoring services fo... Read more
Reader Question:
Bone-Marrow Smears
Question: Are certain stains that are commonly used in the preparation of bone-marrow smea... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Fine Needle Aspiration
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before ... Read more
Laboratory Methods and Coverage Indications Are Key to Coding for Hepatitis Tests
Reimbursement for the acute hepatitis panel or individual hepatitis tests depends ... Read more
Evaluation of Complex Surgical Specimens:
Whipple Resection
Coding for pathologic evaluation of tissue from complex surgical procedures,... Read more
Reader Question:
Iron Stain
Question: When should we use 85535-85536 as opposed to CPT 88313 for iron stain? We have ... Read more
Reader Question:
Lumpectomy
Question: How should I code an excisional breast biopsy (lumpectomy) when both the lesion ... Read more
Reader Question:
immunocytochemistry
Question: CPT 88342 specifies that it should be listed for "each antibody." Can 88342... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Cytopathology
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before loo... Read more
Diagnosis Is Key to Payment for Tumor Markers
Four new and one revised code in CPT Codes 2001 have helped clarify coding for tu... Read more
Document Pneumonia Cases Carefully To Avoid OIG Scrutiny
The federal government continues to scrutinize pneumonia coding for cases of overpayme... Read more
News Brief:
HCFA Changes Name to CMS
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which administers Medicare and Medicaid p... Read more
Reader Question:
Pap Smears
Question: Our pathologist is contracted by the hospital to provide pathology services... Read more
Reader Question:
Detection of Infectious Agent
Question: I have received remittance advice that CPT 87522 requires a modifier when liste... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Consultation
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before loo... Read more
Stain Codes from Microbiology, Hematology and Surgical Pathology Earn Proper Payment
"Clinical labs and anatomic pathologists use special stains to aid in microscopic examinat... Read more
HCFA Clarifies TC Rules For Independent Labs
Section 542 of the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) secured a two-... Read more
Reader Question:
Dysplasia
Question: What are the proper codes for the following? 1. Uterus with cervical dysplasia o... Read more
Reader Question:
Multiple Skin Biopsies
Question: We received multiple skin biopsies on a patient from multiple sites, labeled and... Read more
Reader Question:
Prothrombin Time Test and 99211
Question: If a nurse administers the prothrombin time test for patients coming for periodi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Skin Tumor
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at... Read more
Receive Fair Payment for Physician Interpretation of Pap Smear
A Pap smear that appears abnormal requires interpretation by a physician, but some patholo... Read more
Enhance Compliance and Reimbursement with Chart Audits
Laboratories and pathology practices can strengthen compliance and optimize payment by u... Read more
Clarification:
Codes 88329 and 88331 are Bundled
In the article To Boost Bottom Line,... Read more
News Brief:
Medicare Changes Pap Screening Frequency Rules
Beginning July 1, 2001, Medicare will pay for a screening Pap smear for low-risk patients ... Read more
Reader Question:
Wrights Stain Slide
Question: If the lab prepares a Wrights stain slide for a bone marrow aspirate for the pa... Read more
Reader Question:
E/M With Bone Marrow Aspiration
Question: Medicare is denying an E/M code when our pathologist bills it with the procedure... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Specimen Transport
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Capture Reimbursement for All Levels of Microbiology Culture Identification
Although the CPT 2001 revisions, additions and deletions of the microbiology codes for cul... Read more
New Code Provides Accurate Billing for Prostate Cancer Screening and Monitoring
Coding for prostate cancer screening and monitoring changed with the addition of new codes... Read more
Reader Question:
Aspheresis and E/M
Question: Our hematopathologist often performs a chart review prior to a stem cell harvest... Read more
Reader Question:
Special Stains
Question: Three kinds of stains are done for microorganisms on each of two blocks, such as... Read more
Reader Question:
Prostate Needle Biopsies
Question: We sometimes get six or eight prostate needle biopsies in separate containers la... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Culture Coding
Question: We use CPT 87081 for cultures when they are requested to screen for Group A Str... Read more
Report Additional Services for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Proper Payment
The addition of sentinel lymph node to the specimen list for CPT 88307 (level V surgical... Read more
To Boost Bottom Line Avoid Bundling Hysterectomy Specimens that Require Individual Diagnosis
Reporting by the book rather than with an under-standing of coding principles could resu... Read more
Reader Question:
Bladder Biopsy
Question: We often receive urinary bladder specimens for which the stated procedure is som... Read more
Reader Question:
Screening Tests
Question: If a referring physician tests a patient for chlamydia and receives a claim reje... Read more
Reader Question:
Mastectomy
Question: We have recently been receiving mastectomy specimens consisting of a breast with... Read more
Reader Question:
Medication Lab Tests
Question: We have had claim denials for certain lab tests ordered to monitor patient respo... Read more
Reader Question:
Cytology
Question: What is the definitive explanation regarding the non-gynecological cytology co... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Malignant Neoplasm of Skin
Question: What diagnosis code should I use when a patient has a previously diagnosed skin ... Read more
Ensure Proper Reimbursement for Glucose Monitoring Under Medicares Policies
Reimbursement for blood glucose determinations depends on assigning the proper procedural ... Read more
HCFA Suspends Significant Portion of CCI 6.3
HCFA has temporarily suspended many of the edits in version 6.3 of the national Correct ... Read more
Reader Question:
Biopsy
Question: How should we code when a biopsy is submitted initially for frozen section or fo... Read more
Reader Question:
Fine Needle Aspiration
Question: I performed a fine needle aspiration biopsy on a breast mass (88170). Medicare d... Read more
Reader Question:
Hemogram
Question: What components are included in the term hemogram in the hematology codes 85021-... Read more
Reader Question:
Candida Albicans
Question: How should we code the test for Candida albicans when we use a commercial kit th... Read more
Reader Question:
Postvasectomy Semen Exam
Question: What is the correct code for a postvasectomy semen exam? All we report is sperm ... Read more
Correct Diagnosis Codes Are Key to Adequate Reimbursement for Laboratory Tests
"Diagnosis coding for laboratory work can often prove challenging for pathology cod... Read more
Know Rules and Details of Special Stains for Accurate Payment
Microscopic examination of pathology tissue specimens often involves the use of special ... Read more
Reader Question:
Breast Quadrantectomy
Question: If we receive a breast quadrantectomy separately from an axillary node dissectio... Read more
Reader Question:
Colon Donuts
Question: What should the code be for pieces of colon tissue known as colon donuts if subm... Read more
Reader Question:
Technical Component of FNA
Question: If the pathologist bills CPT 88173 for interpretation of fine needle aspirate... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Beckton, Dickinson Test
Question: What is the correct code for the new Beckton, Dickinson test for influenza A a... Read more
Microbiology Code Changes in CPT 2001 Get Optimal Reimbursement
pathology Coder need to be aware of the significant changes in the microbiology section ... Read more
Ensure Appropriate Payment for Multiple Units of Service Under OCE With Proper Use of Modifiers
Under Medicares revised outpatient code editor (OCE), coders for hospital outpatient patho... Read more
What is OCE?
The OCE is the HCFA software package for processing outpatient claims, issued to fiscal ... Read more
Reader Question:
Lymph Nodes
Question: When coding the pathology examination of lymph nodes, at what point or number do... Read more
Reader Question:
Liver Function Lab Panel
Question: A physician wants to prescribe medication to a patient with systemic lupus eryth... Read more
Reader Question:
Keratin Stains
Question: My question regards coding for keratin stains, specifically S100 and HMB 45, in... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Biopsy
Question: A patient reports to her physician complaining of diarrhea (787.91). The physic... Read more
Available Years:  2001  2000