Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Handy table looks ahead to next year's pricing, too.

From gastric acid monitoring to a tuberculosis test for immunosuppressed patients, you'll have the inside scoop on CPT 2011 changes, thanks to this guide. We've pulled together a brief description of clinical usage for the new test codes, as well as the CMS proposed crosswalk for pricing the services. CMS recently posted the preliminary payment determinations as part of the clinical laboratory fee schedule pricing process following the annual clinical laboratory public meeting.

Use These Look-Ahead Resources

Put this chart in your clinical lab coding tool kit for 2011. Watch Pathology/Lab Coding Alert for further CPT 2011 updates on microbiology, cytopathology, and anatomic pathology changes.

Monitor lab $$: To keep an eye on lab test pricing for the 2011 clinical lab fee schedule, you can access CMS payment determinations and meeting notes at www.cms.gov/ClinicalLabFeeSched/05_Laboratory_Public_Meetings.asp#TopOfPage