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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Clinical Lab:
Focus West Nile Virus Coding for Accurate Lab-Test Pay
Transmission route impacts diagnosis code. When your lab performs testing for possible We... Read more
PAMA Update:
Expect Radical Pay Changes for Clinical Lab Tests January 1
Unless CMS relents to universal industry condemnation. The preliminary pricing proposal i... Read more
Compliance:
Educate Lab Personnel on EMail Phishing Vulnerability
Don't be surprised that this old trick still works. You may think that only high-tech sol... Read more
Reader Question:
Follow Pap With HPV Reflex
Question: Our lab processed a screening Pap test and reported ASCUS findings, then re... Read more
Reader Question:
Use PHI Patient Access Form
Question: What guidance or tools could you give our lab to help us meet our obligatio... Read more
Reader Question:
Untangle Burn Case Report
Question: The lab performed an aerobic culture from a burn swab and presumptively ide... Read more
Reader Question:
Use QW for Waived Tests
Question: Please explain modifier QW and when we should use it in our lab. Codify Su... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code This Endometrial Pathology Case
Question: Our pathologist examined an "endometrial specimen" and assigned a diagnosis... Read more
Anatomic Pathology:
Is Your LEEP Specimen 88305 or 88307?
3 tips can guide LEEP pathology reporting and coding. If cervical LEEP specimens give you... Read more
ICD-10:
Convert 'Clock' to 'Quadrant' for Correct Breast Dx
Look up behavior first. When your pathologist evaluates a breast specimen, you don't have... Read more
Compliance:
Dodge OIG Focus on Lab Referral Rules
Distinguish Stark, AKS. The way your lab gets patient referrals could be the subject of a... Read more
Newsbrief:
DOS Guidance Sows Confusion
Stick with specimen acquisition. You know that the date of service (DOS) for clinical lab... Read more
Reader Question:
Evaluate Gene List for Proper Molecular Coding
Question: Our molecular lab performs a genomic sequence analysis panel for long QT sy... Read more
Reader Question:
Master ABN Modifiers For Your Lab
Question: When should our lab get a signed advance beneficiary notice (ABN), and how ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Stick With Ovarian Cancer Dx
Question: The pathologist examined a specimen that was a 6.7 x 4.8 x 3.3 cm pelvic ma... Read more
CPT® 2018 Lab Preview:
Get Ready for Numerous Additional Molecular Codes
Look for novel RSV and Zika test codes, too. If you want the scoop on new 2018 clinical l... Read more
Part 1:
Coagulation Management: 3 Tips Show You How to Correctly Code PT Lab Tests
Don't skip this modifier - or you can expect claims denials. Monitoring PT/INR for patien... Read more
Part 2:
Coagulation Management: Follow Home PT/INR Monitoring Rules
Avoid G0250 frequency pitfall. In addition to ordering a Prothrombin Time (PT) lab test, ... Read more
Reader Question:
Follow Medicare's 60 Repayment Rule
Question: Is it true that we have only 60 days to return any overpayments to federal ... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus 83020 Testing
Question: Our lab is performing a new test using capillary electrophoresis to evaluat... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Capture Individual Specimens
Question: Two specimen containers arrived for diagnosis, the first containing tissue ... Read more
Hemicolectomy Evaluation:
Parse Your Pathology and Lab Reports to Execute Correct Crohn's Coding
Look for specific diagnostic statement. If your lab encounters the following specimens an... Read more
MACRA Update:
Embrace Help From MIPS Low-Volume Threshold Change
Small pathology practices find relief under QPP proposed rule. Maybe you’ve barely ... Read more
News You Can Use:
Anticipate MPFS Price Change for Your Pathology Services
Comment on CLFS revaluation process too. CMS recently released the proposed rule for the ... Read more
Reader Question:
Beware Unbundling 'Sample Validation'
Question: Can we bill together a urinalysis for pH and constituents (81001) and a uri... Read more
Reader Question:
Spotlight Accurate Strep-Test Ordering Dx
Question: Our lab received an order for a strep test for a patient with “recent... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don't Lose Pay for 'Scant' Bone Marrow Aspirate
Question: Our pathologist examined a bone marrow aspirate and reported “scant c... Read more
ICD-10 2018:
Get Ready to Implement New Dx Codes October 1
Keep up-to-date for future quality pay. Allow our experts to unpack the latest ICD-10-CM ... Read more
Immuno-diagnostics:
Clear the 'Multiplex' Hurdle for Correct Code Selection
Make sure you know latest CCI instruction. If you’re still talking about “coc... Read more
HIPAA:
3 Steps Keep BAA Compliance Costs Down
Get needed agreements on file in your lab. If one of your lab’s business associates... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to Signs and Symptoms for Lab Tests
Question: When we get orders for a clinical lab test, can we use “symptoms&rdqu... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus Genetic Counseling Following Molecular Testing
Question: As a molecular pathology lab, can we provide a service for genetic counseli... Read more
You Be the Coder:
'Exostosis' Definition Leads Code Choice
Question: The pathologist received a specimen from surgery for a heel bone spur. The ... Read more
Anatomic Pathology:
Study 4 Examples for Correct Soft Tissue Coding
Follow diagnosis-code lead. If you face a pathology report labeled “soft tissue mas... Read more
CCI:
Minimize Edit-Pair Impact on Your Bottom Line
Uncover secrets of PTP modifiers and more. Confusion over Medicare’s National Corre... Read more
CCI Version 23.1:
Beware Pathology Consultation with Molecular Test Codes
Catch some interpretation bundles, too. CMS wants to make sure you know how NOT to report... Read more
Reader Question:
Dictate Breast Cancer Diagnosis to 7th Digit
Question: The pathologist examined a breast mass from a 42-year-old male. The surgica... Read more
Reader Question:
Mohs Means 1 Physician, 2 Services
Question: Our dermatopathologist removed a squamous cell carcinoma from the patient&r... Read more
Reader Question:
Learn This TC/26 Modifier Trick
Question: Our lab analyst performed a polarized light-microscopy exam of synovial flu... Read more
Reader Question:
Find Specific CF Test and Dx Codes
Question: Our lab received an order for a direct sputum acid-fast stain and culture i... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Focus Calculi Procedure and Dx Codes
Question: Our pathologist examined a specimen identified as a kidney stone and ordere... Read more
Anatomic Pathology:
Focus Your Spinal Cord Specimen Coding
Distinguish meninges from spinal cord. If your pathologists work downstream from a neuros... Read more
TB Testing:
Translate CDC Test Guidelines to Correct Coding
Distinguish tuberculosis disease from latent TB. With updated tuberculosis (TB) testing g... Read more
PAMA Update:
Grasp This Reprieve for Lab-Test Data Reporting
Now you have until May 31 to get the job done. If you’re an “applicable lab&r... Read more
Reader Question:
Spot Separate MI Blood Tests
Question: Our lab performed two troponin tests four hours apart, as well as a creatin... Read more
Reader Question:
Break Apart Immune Dysfunction Panel
Question: What codes should we use to report our lab’s work when the clinician ... Read more
Reader Question:
Get ABN for Molecular Tests
Question: We are an anatomic pathology lab and our pathologists will send cases to an... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus Hepatitis Coding in Pregnancy
Question: A physician ordered a hepatic function panel for a 32-week pregnant patient... Read more
Reader Question:
Protect Data on Mobile Devices
Question: Is it true that the Office for Civil Rights can collect damages for lost mo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Capture Special Stains and Metastasis for Proper Coding
Question: Our pathologist examined a liver biopsy, evaluating H&E stained tissue ... Read more
Colorectal Cancer Screening:
Rundown CRC Test Options and Methods for Your Lab
Don’t overlook newer procedures and codes. If you’re stuck in the days of the... Read more
Compliance:
Follow Coverage Rules to Secure CRC Screening Pay
Master diagnosis and frequency limitations. Payers may approve many different testing met... Read more
Microbiology:
Don't Double Dip for 'Multiplex' Tests
Add 87483 to your infectious agent detection arsenal. If you think you know all the oppor... Read more
HIPAA:
Update Your Compliance Plan With These Tips
Don’t let your documents get “stale.” Maybe the answering machine and t... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose Screening Dx for Screening Test
Question: We’re using the new CPT® code for drug screening, 80305, instead ... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus Lynch Syndrome Coding With These Tips
Question: Our lab performs a full gene sequence analysis for MLH1 and finds mutations... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Understand FNA 'Evaluation Episode'
Question: Our pathologist received three FNA specimens from three different breast le... Read more
CCI:
Avoid Pitfalls When Reporting Multiple Infectious Agent Antigens
Ensure compliance with policy manual update. When your lab bills codes from the range 872... Read more
ICD-10:
Stop Losing Lab Pay Based on Z-Code Myths
Show medical necessity with ‘screening,’ ‘status,’ and more. If y... Read more
Clip And Save:
Use Common Z Codes for Your Lab Reporting and Pay
Impact your diagnosis coding with Table 1 rundown. Hopefully the preceding article helped... Read more
Reader Question:
Zero in on Trigone of Bladder Codes
Question: Our pathologist examined a “trigone of bladder biopsy” with fin... Read more
Reader Question:
Finish Your PAMA Lab Reporting This Month
Question: We are an “applicable lab” for reporting lab test payment data ... Read more
Reader Question:
Distinguish Definitive, Presumptive Drug Tests
Question: Our lab received an order for a drug confirmation test for alcohol, salicyl... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Solidify Your Hip Joint Code Choices
Question: The pathologist examined four bone fragments in a single container from the... Read more
Drug Testing 2017:
Avoid Pitfalls in CPT® and CMS Drug Screen Updates
Beware CLIA-waived confusion. If your lab performs drug testing, you might already be usi... Read more
MACRA Update:
FAQ's Target Quality Reporting For Your Pathology Practice
Move seamlessly from PQRS to MIPS As 2017 gets underway, quality reporting is here in a b... Read more
Quality Payment Program:
Know Which Measures Your Pathologists Can Turn To
Expect few changes since PQRS. If you don’t know these pathology “quality mea... Read more
Reader Question:
Watch for Microscopy Procedure with Lung Biopsy
Question: Our pathologist evaluated lung biopsy slides stained with toluidine blue us... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus Fetal Exam Coding
Question: The pathologist examined a fetus from a spontaneous abortion; the patient w... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Panel Code Limitations
Question: The lab received an order for blood levels of the following components: alb... Read more
Reader Question:
Classify Megacolon With C. diff
Question: The pathologist examined a colon resection and diagnosed dilated toxic colo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Capture Nail Matrix Biopsy Work
Question: We received a toenail matrix biopsy for melanoma, which the pathologist exa... Read more
Medicare Payment 2017:
Glimpse These Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Updates
Changes from proposed rule help pathologists. A slight Conversion Factor (CF) increase... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Test Yourself With 5 Pap Test Scenarios
Distinguish reason for repeat Pap. When your lab performs Pap tests, do you know the i... Read more
MPFS 2017:
Update Your Pay Expectations With This Chart
Evaluate your mix of services to estimate impact. If you want to evaluate how the 2017... Read more
Coding Answers:
Grade Your 5 Pap-Test Scenario Responses
Don’t confuse screening vs. diagnostic tests. After reading the questions on pag... Read more
Reader Question:
Margin Leads Breast Code Choice
Question: Our pathologist examines a breast excision and diagnoses “lobular c... Read more
Reader Question:
Tackle 'Cloud' Vs. 'Client Server' Issues
Question: We’re considering going to “cloud” storage for our Elec... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Diagnosis Before Assigning Uterus Exam Code
Question: For a pathology exam of a uterus specimen in which the pathologist diagno... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Focus EBV Lab Test Coding
Question: Our lab processed a serum specimen for a requested infectious mononucleos... Read more
CPT® 2017:
Notice Code Category Shift for Prostate Cancer Test
More lab tests, fewer biopsies may be in your future. With protocols for prostate canc... Read more
CLFS:
Prep for January Data Reporting to CDLT Payment System
Signing up may be half the battle. Once you know you’re an “applicable lab... Read more
Q/A Roundup:
Drill Down For More PAMA Guidance For Your Lab
Understand applicable labs, ADLTs, and more. If your head is still swimming with the w... Read more
Reader Question:
Learn 81528 Coverage Requirements
Question: Our lab performs the Cologuard test for colon cancer screening, but we&rs... Read more
Reader Question:
Use 26, Not PC for Professional Component
Question: If the pathologist examines a pathology case, such as an adrenal resectio... Read more
Reader Question:
Save This Medicare Acronym Primer
Question: Communications from our Medicare contractor are so full of “alphabe... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Access Genetic Testing Diagnosis Options
Question: With all the genetic testing options for cancers and germline mutations, ... Read more
Available Years:  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000