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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Beware Molecular Diagnostics 'Clarifications' -- $510 At Risk

Published on Mon Feb 23, 2009

-Unit of service- changes reimbursement for this CF assay. Although the AMA only intended for CPT 2009 molecular diagnostics code changes to "clarify the original intent of the codes," you just might need to change the way you report some assays. Look back to last month's article, "Rev Up Your Molecular Diagnostics Coding With These Tips," for an overview of the CPT update. Then get ready to possibly change the way you report some steps in a molecular diagnostics assay. Check Out This Scenario By clearly defining the units of service for steps in a molecular diagnostics assay, CPT 2009 may alter the way you code. Look at the following case in point: "Adding -each enzyme treatment- to 83892 [Molecular diagnostics, enzymatic digestion, each enzyme treatment] changes how you should report that code for some of our Third Wave Technologies tests," says Stephen Day, PhD, director of medical affairs for [...]
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