Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Repeat services, send-out services, component services -- modifiers can be your "shorthand" to tell payers about these and other special circumstances involving your lab procedures.

Now that we-ve got you thinking about CPT 2008 modifier changes (see "3 Modifier Changes Your Lab Needs to Know Now" on page 9), it's a good time to take a refresher course on the modifiers you-re most likely to need for lab coding.

Study the following chart of common lab modifiers -- and when you might need to use them. Then cut out this list and save it for a handy reference tool throughout the year.