Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
CPT 2003 Streamlines Laboratory and Pathology Coding
Although most of the CPT Codes 2003 changes that affect laboratories a... Read more
Although most of the CPT Codes 2003 changes that affect laboratories a... Read more
CPT 2003 Overhauls Hematology Codes
You need to rethink your understanding of blood counts to keep up with... Read more
You need to rethink your understanding of blood counts to keep up with... Read more
Clear Up National Coverage Confusion for Clinical Labs
While the implementation of Medicare's 23 National Coverage... Read more
While the implementation of Medicare's 23 National Coverage... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid Pneumonia Upcoding
Question: What is the correct ICD-9 code for pneumonia if the physician does not specif... Read more
Avoid Pneumonia Upcoding
Question: What is the correct ICD-9 code for pneumonia if the physician does not specif... Read more
Reader Question:
FNA Is Single Specimen
Question: For fine needle aspirate specimens, if we receive prepared slides and a vial... Read more
FNA Is Single Specimen
Question: For fine needle aspirate specimens, if we receive prepared slides and a vial... Read more
Reader Question:
Breast-Reduction Examination
Question: How should we code the evaluation of breast tissue removed for breast-reducti... Read more
Breast-Reduction Examination
Question: How should we code the evaluation of breast tissue removed for breast-reducti... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Report Each Step for Bone Marrow
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking... Read more
Report Each Step for Bone Marrow
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking... Read more
CCI 8.3 A Bundle of Restrictions
Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) version 8.3 makes it of... Read more
Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) version 8.3 makes it of... Read more
Override CCI Edits Cautiously
"Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edit pairs represent services that are... Read more
"Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edit pairs represent services that are... Read more
Pap Consensus Guidelines Know It and Code It
If the new Pap guidelines cause the anticipated explosion of human pap... Read more
If the new Pap guidelines cause the anticipated explosion of human pap... Read more
Choose Between Two Sets of Liquid Cytology Codes
To report liquid cytology Pap tests properly, you have to know not onl... Read more
To report liquid cytology Pap tests properly, you have to know not onl... Read more
Cervical Cytology Coding Scenarios
See how the experts code the following scenarios that you might encounter under the ... Read more
See how the experts code the following scenarios that you might encounter under the ... Read more
Reader Question:
Professional Component FNA
Question: You stated in a past issue of Pathology/Lab Coding Alert that a f... Read more
Professional Component FNA
Question: You stated in a past issue of Pathology/Lab Coding Alert that a f... Read more
Reader Question:
Unlisted Humeral Head
Question: How should we report the pathologist's examination of a humera... Read more
Unlisted Humeral Head
Question: How should we report the pathologist's examination of a humera... Read more
Reader Question:
Multiple Immunohistochemical Stains
Question: We occasionally carry out two different immunohistochemistry procedures for se... Read more
Multiple Immunohistochemical Stains
Question: We occasionally carry out two different immunohistochemistry procedures for se... Read more
Reader Question:
Separate Vas Deferens and Prostatectomy
Question: If a surgeon performs a radical prosta-tectomy and separately submits the ampu... Read more
Separate Vas Deferens and Prostatectomy
Question: If a surgeon performs a radical prosta-tectomy and separately submits the ampu... Read more
Reader Question:
Lymph Node Bundling
Question: If we receive iliac and obturator nodes submitted as separate left and right... Read more
Lymph Node Bundling
Question: If we receive iliac and obturator nodes submitted as separate left and right... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Needle Localization Breast Biopsy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Needle Localization Breast Biopsy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Cutting-Edge Coding Enhances Payment for Surgical Margin Evaluation
When surgical pathologists provide multiple margin-evaluation services for neoplasm, y... Read more
When surgical pathologists provide multiple margin-evaluation services for neoplasm, y... Read more
CMS Unlocks New Codes, Pricing for Clinical Labs
CMS opened the door to the clinical-lab-test reimbursement process, allowing a gl... Read more
CMS opened the door to the clinical-lab-test reimbursement process, allowing a gl... Read more
Reporting Hematology Then and Now
Question: How should I report automated Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC and platelet count ... Read more
Question: How should I report automated Hgb, Hct, RBC, WBC and platelet count ... Read more
Terror Strikes ICD-9 Codes
Terrorism hit the annual ICD-9 update, with new codes for anthrax and other potential ... Read more
Terrorism hit the annual ICD-9 update, with new codes for anthrax and other potential ... Read more
Reader Question:
Cell Blocks
Question: We keep getting conflicting information regarding how many cell blocks are ch... Read more
Cell Blocks
Question: We keep getting conflicting information regarding how many cell blocks are ch... Read more
Reader Question:
Follow-Up Pap Smear
Question: When a physician orders a Pap smear more frequently than Medicare allows as ... Read more
Follow-Up Pap Smear
Question: When a physician orders a Pap smear more frequently than Medicare allows as ... Read more
Reader Question:
Identify Performing Physician
Question: When two of my group physicians perform different services for the same case,... Read more
Identify Performing Physician
Question: When two of my group physicians perform different services for the same case,... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Clarify Bone Coding
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before... Read more
Clarify Bone Coding
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before... Read more
New ICD-9 Code Could Mean More Money for Paps
New cervical ICD9 Codes mean more specific diagnoses for coders and pe... Read more
New cervical ICD9 Codes mean more specific diagnoses for coders and pe... Read more
ICD-9 Crafts Specific Cervical Codes
The addition of "unsatisfactory smear" to 795.09 (Other nonspecific abnormal Papanic... Read more
The addition of "unsatisfactory smear" to 795.09 (Other nonspecific abnormal Papanic... Read more
Labs May Wait for National Coverage Decision Claims
Medicare's 23 National Coverage Decisions (NCDs) for laboratory tests won't ... Read more
Medicare's 23 National Coverage Decisions (NCDs) for laboratory tests won't ... Read more
The Forms Are In,and the Winners Are
Labs That Properly Use the New ABN You have the form CMS-R-131-L Advance Benefic... Read more
Labs That Properly Use the New ABN You have the form CMS-R-131-L Advance Benefic... Read more
Modifiers Secure Return on ABN Investment
You can get stuck eating the costs of medically unnecessary tests for Medica... Read more
You can get stuck eating the costs of medically unnecessary tests for Medica... Read more
Proposed Fee Schedule a Bust for Pathologists
If approved, CMS' Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposal could cost pathologists 11... Read more
If approved, CMS' Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposal could cost pathologists 11... Read more
Reader Question:
Purchased Tests
Question: Our pathologists sometimes perform a fine needle aspiration (10021) on a sup... Read more
Purchased Tests
Question: Our pathologists sometimes perform a fine needle aspiration (10021) on a sup... Read more
Reader Question:
Hemogram Codes
Question: Which code should I use to report a hemogram that includes RBC, WBC, hemoglo... Read more
Hemogram Codes
Question: Which code should I use to report a hemogram that includes RBC, WBC, hemoglo... Read more
Reader Question:
Multiple Prostate Specimens
Question: How should we report two prostate needle biopsies from the same patient when... Read more
Multiple Prostate Specimens
Question: How should we report two prostate needle biopsies from the same patient when... Read more
Reader Question:
Decalcification per Specimen
Question: What is the correct way to bill decalcifi-cations performed on multiple blocks... Read more
Decalcification per Specimen
Question: What is the correct way to bill decalcifi-cations performed on multiple blocks... Read more
Reader Question:
Distinct Procedural Service
Question: We sometimes perform a gross and a microscopic examination on two different sp... Read more
Distinct Procedural Service
Question: We sometimes perform a gross and a microscopic examination on two different sp... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Post-Cancer Diagnosis
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situatio... Read more
Post-Cancer Diagnosis
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situatio... Read more
Pathology Report Dictates Colon Procedure and Diagnosis Codes
" When the pathology report uses different langu... Read more
" When the pathology report uses different langu... Read more
Translating the Morphology of NeoplasmsTable
Pathology coders may see codes from the "Morphology of Neoplasms" table... Read more
Pathology coders may see codes from the "Morphology of Neoplasms" table... Read more
Untangle Thyroid Testing Coverage Rules
Complex coverage issues impact coding and reimbursement for lab tests used t... Read more
Complex coverage issues impact coding and reimbursement for lab tests used t... Read more
Beyond the Basics:
Rules Vary for Additional Thyroid Tests
"Physicians often order other thyroid laboratory tests based on abnormal TSH and FT4 l... Read more
Rules Vary for Additional Thyroid Tests
"Physicians often order other thyroid laboratory tests based on abnormal TSH and FT4 l... Read more
CCI 8.2 Gives Pathology Coders a Breather
Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, version 8.2 that took effect Ju... Read more
Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, version 8.2 that took effect Ju... Read more
Reader Question:
Cryopreservation
Question: Following apheresis, should we report CPT 86890 and 88240 for frozen periph... Read more
Cryopreservation
Question: Following apheresis, should we report CPT 86890 and 88240 for frozen periph... Read more
Reader Question:
Technical and Professional Component
Question: I have been told that a bone marrow smear interpretation includes a technica... Read more
Technical and Professional Component
Question: I have been told that a bone marrow smear interpretation includes a technica... Read more
Reader Question:
Antibody Test for Strep
Question: How should we report an antibody test (AS0) that we conduct to identify prev... Read more
Antibody Test for Strep
Question: How should we report an antibody test (AS0) that we conduct to identify prev... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Evaluating Multiple Biopsies
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking... Read more
Evaluating Multiple Biopsies
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking... Read more
Sorting Out Surgical Pathology Specimens
Surgical pathology Coder beware: Knowing the organ or anatomic site is not enough... Read more
Surgical pathology Coder beware: Knowing the organ or anatomic site is not enough... Read more
News Brief:
SNF Consolidated Billing Applies to Labs After All
It seems that labs aren't the only ones confused about consolidated billing: CMS issue... Read more
SNF Consolidated Billing Applies to Labs After All
It seems that labs aren't the only ones confused about consolidated billing: CMS issue... Read more
CMS Suspends Maximum Unit-of-Service Edit
CMS has disabled the unit-of-service edit in the Outpatient Code Editor (OCE) unt... Read more
CMS has disabled the unit-of-service edit in the Outpatient Code Editor (OCE) unt... Read more
Reader Question:
Bone Marrow Study
Question: How should I report a bone marrow biopsy consisting of a bone fragment measu... Read more
Bone Marrow Study
Question: How should I report a bone marrow biopsy consisting of a bone fragment measu... Read more
Reader Question:
HER-2/neu Testing on Old Specimens
Question: How should we bill for tests on old specimens? Some of our physicians have b... Read more
HER-2/neu Testing on Old Specimens
Question: How should we bill for tests on old specimens? Some of our physicians have b... Read more
Reader Question:
Multiple Slides for Bronchial Brushing
Question: Which code(s) should we use for a bronchial brushing specimen that involves ... Read more
Multiple Slides for Bronchial Brushing
Question: Which code(s) should we use for a bronchial brushing specimen that involves ... Read more
Reader Question:
Ordering Diagnostic Tests
Question: Is a pathologist able to order additional tests on specimens submitted for g... Read more
Ordering Diagnostic Tests
Question: Is a pathologist able to order additional tests on specimens submitted for g... Read more
Reader Question:
Lumpectomy Versus Incisional Breast Biopsy
Question: Is the CPT code for surgical pathology evaluation of breast tissue the... Read more
Lumpectomy Versus Incisional Breast Biopsy
Question: Is the CPT code for surgical pathology evaluation of breast tissue the... Read more
Reader Question:
Direct and Concentrated Smears
Question: How should we report a pleural fluid evaluation that requires two direct sme... Read more
Direct and Concentrated Smears
Question: How should we report a pleural fluid evaluation that requires two direct sme... Read more
Reader Question:
Truncated Codes
Question: When using ICD-9 diagnosis codes , I've been told to be cautious ab... Read more
Truncated Codes
Question: When using ICD-9 diagnosis codes , I've been told to be cautious ab... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Master the Billing Rules for Clinical Pathology Interpretation and Consultation
Despite the common perception that a clinical pathology consultation a... Read more
Despite the common perception that a clinical pathology consultation a... Read more
Labs Must Prepare for National Medicare Coverage Policies
Uniform coverage rules for clinical diagnostic lab tests will provide ... Read more
Uniform coverage rules for clinical diagnostic lab tests will provide ... Read more
Know the Lab Tests Affected
"The new national coverage decisions will impact reimbursement for 65 CPT Co... Read more
"The new national coverage decisions will impact reimbursement for 65 CPT Co... Read more
Reader Question:
Modifiers -91 and -59
Question: When a physician orders H. pylori IgG, IgA and IgM, we run three separate test... Read more
Modifiers -91 and -59
Question: When a physician orders H. pylori IgG, IgA and IgM, we run three separate test... Read more
Reader Question:
Reporting Evaluations
Question: We often receive cytology specimens for evaluation that are not clearly defi... Read more
Reporting Evaluations
Question: We often receive cytology specimens for evaluation that are not clearly defi... Read more
Reader Question:
Frequency Rules for Pap Smears
Question: Because our lab has no way of knowing whether a patient has exceeded Medicar... Read more
Frequency Rules for Pap Smears
Question: Because our lab has no way of knowing whether a patient has exceeded Medicar... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Reporting Additional Work
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Reporting Additional Work
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Report V76.2 for Post-Hysterectomy Pap Smears to Ensure Reimbursement
Less than a year after implementation of a Medicare ruling that promised to solv... Read more
Less than a year after implementation of a Medicare ruling that promised to solv... Read more
CCI 8.1:
FNA Bundled with Biopsies and Codes with Similar Terminology
The Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) 8.1 took effect April 1, 2002, and... Read more
FNA Bundled with Biopsies and Codes with Similar Terminology
The Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) 8.1 took effect April 1, 2002, and... Read more
Reader Question:
Reporting Brush Services
Question: Our lab received three brush slides along with a brush floating in fixative.... Read more
Reporting Brush Services
Question: Our lab received three brush slides along with a brush floating in fixative.... Read more
Reader Question:
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Stain
Question: When we process a sentinel lymph node biopsy, we typically prepare four or f... Read more
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Stain
Question: When we process a sentinel lymph node biopsy, we typically prepare four or f... Read more
Reader Question:
Assigning Modifiers
Question: Which modifiers should be used for multiple pathology specimens? For examp... Read more
Assigning Modifiers
Question: Which modifiers should be used for multiple pathology specimens? For examp... Read more
Reader Question:
Bundled Codes
Question: Is it possible to charge for the lymph node portion of the dissection separa... Read more
Bundled Codes
Question: Is it possible to charge for the lymph node portion of the dissection separa... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Sinus Specimen Coding
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Sinus Specimen Coding
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Coding of HER-2/neu Testing Depends on Method, Reason for Test
HER-2/neu testing for breast cancer patients may involve procedures from surgical pat... Read more
HER-2/neu testing for breast cancer patients may involve procedures from surgical pat... Read more
Physician Fee Schedule Provides Essential Coding Data
In addition to relative value units (RVUs), which are the basis for calculating Medica... Read more
In addition to relative value units (RVUs), which are the basis for calculating Medica... Read more
Reader Question:
Panel of Tests versus Individual
Question: Should a laboratory bill for a panel if not all of the tests are done, but the c... Read more
Panel of Tests versus Individual
Question: Should a laboratory bill for a panel if not all of the tests are done, but the c... Read more
Reader Question:
Ova and Parasite Testing
Question: How do I report ova and parasite testing? The code for the smear is CPT 87177 , ... Read more
Ova and Parasite Testing
Question: How do I report ova and parasite testing? The code for the smear is CPT 87177 , ... Read more
Reader Question:
Evaluating Breast Tissue Specimen
Question: If a specimen is referred to as a lumpec-tomy, should the tissue be interpreted ... Read more
Evaluating Breast Tissue Specimen
Question: If a specimen is referred to as a lumpec-tomy, should the tissue be interpreted ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Unlabeled Specimens
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before l... Read more
Unlabeled Specimens
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before l... Read more
CMS Clarifies Policies for Clinical Diagnostic Labs for Less Cumbersome Billing
Laboratories have new Medicare direction that clarifies and simplifies a host of issue... Read more
Laboratories have new Medicare direction that clarifies and simplifies a host of issue... Read more
Use Separate, New Codes for FNA and Bone Marrow Tests
The codes are new, but the coding principles remain the same. "Just as last year, fine... Read more
The codes are new, but the coding principles remain the same. "Just as last year, fine... Read more
News Brief:
CMS Delay Impacts FNA and Bone Marrow Coding for OPPS
CMS has delayed the effective date of the payment rates announced for Medicare hospital ou... Read more
CMS Delay Impacts FNA and Bone Marrow Coding for OPPS
CMS has delayed the effective date of the payment rates announced for Medicare hospital ou... Read more
Reader Question:
Professional and Technical Components
Question: If a pathologist receives a bone marrow paraffin block and cuts sections from ... Read more
Professional and Technical Components
Question: If a pathologist receives a bone marrow paraffin block and cuts sections from ... Read more
Reader Question:
Urine Cultures
Question: What is the correct way to code for urine cultures requiring a colony count an... Read more
Urine Cultures
Question: What is the correct way to code for urine cultures requiring a colony count an... Read more
Reader Question:
Multiple Nucleic Acid Probes
Question: When performing multiple nucleic acid probes on the same specimen, can I bill ... Read more
Multiple Nucleic Acid Probes
Question: When performing multiple nucleic acid probes on the same specimen, can I bill ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
QuickVue Flu Test
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before ... Read more
QuickVue Flu Test
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before ... Read more
CMS Memorandum Clarifies Guidelines for Reporting Final Diagnosis
Pathology and laboratory coders have disagreed whether diagnostic tests shou... Read more
Pathology and laboratory coders have disagreed whether diagnostic tests shou... Read more
CCI Edits:
Additions for Microbiology and Pathology Consultation
Version 8.0 of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits went into effect Ja... Read more
Additions for Microbiology and Pathology Consultation
Version 8.0 of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits went into effect Ja... Read more
Reader Question:
Legitimate Order
Question: Medicare requires a diagnostic lab test to be ordered by a treating provider. It... Read more
Legitimate Order
Question: Medicare requires a diagnostic lab test to be ordered by a treating provider. It... Read more
Reader Question:
TB Skin Test
Question: When we bill a TB skin test (CPT 86580 ), should we also bill a therapeutic inje... Read more
TB Skin Test
Question: When we bill a TB skin test (CPT 86580 ), should we also bill a therapeutic inje... Read more
Reader Question:
Chemical Urinalysis Test
Question: How should we report a standard chemical urinalysis test to evaluate urine con... Read more
Chemical Urinalysis Test
Question: How should we report a standard chemical urinalysis test to evaluate urine con... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Colon Biopsy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation bef... Read more
Colon Biopsy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation bef... Read more
Fine Needle Aspiration, Bone Marrow Sampling Are Major Changes in CPT 2002
CPT 2002 contains several changes for pathology/laboratory coding . The sect... Read more
CPT 2002 contains several changes for pathology/laboratory coding . The sect... Read more
Medicare Broadens Coverage for Prothrombin Time
Medicare recently announced that it would begin a national coverage policy for home prot... Read more
Medicare recently announced that it would begin a national coverage policy for home prot... Read more
Anthrax Coding Report Free on Web
Physicians and other healthcare professionals who provide services to any patients with a... Read more
Physicians and other healthcare professionals who provide services to any patients with a... Read more
Reader Question:
Lung Wedge Biopsy
Question: A pathologist receives a lung wedge biopsy for immediate diagnosis. The patholog... Read more
Lung Wedge Biopsy
Question: A pathologist receives a lung wedge biopsy for immediate diagnosis. The patholog... Read more
Reader Question:
Hepatic Function Panel
Question: If a hepatic function panel (CPT 80076 ) is ordered due to the administration of... Read more
Hepatic Function Panel
Question: If a hepatic function panel (CPT 80076 ) is ordered due to the administration of... Read more
You Be the Coder:
PSA Testing
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before l... Read more
PSA Testing
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before l... Read more