Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Check out online AMA errata and symposium resources.

Glancing through the Tier 2 molecular pathology test lists in CPT® 2013, you might think no new tests were added under 81401 (Molecular pathology procedure, Level 2 …) — but you’d be wrong.

In fact, CPT® 2013 adds 31 new tests under 81401, but the new analytes don’t show up in green text with “bowtie” (►◄) identifiers as they should. 

Find Errata Online 

The AMA has made corrections for CPT® 2013 in the online “Errata,” which add green text and bowties for all 31 new analytes under 81401. 

The AMA updates the corrections throughout the year, so it’s smart to check it regularly. You can access it from www.ama-assn.org/go/cpt-errata, according to Peter Hollmann, MD, chair of the CPT® Editorial Panel in his AMA CPT® and RBRVS 2013 Annual Symposium presentation, “Moving CPT ® Into the Future.” Corrections are made based on review and comments from staff, panel, specialty societies, and anyone else interested in CPT®, said Hollmann.

Note other lab changes: The “Errata” also add a new molecular pathology analyte under each of two other Tier 2 molecular pathology codes 81402 (Molecular pathology procedure, Level 3…) and 81407 (Molecular pathology procedure, Level 8…). Other changes predominantly correct misspellings, although you’ll also find that the AMA removes the text note following 86891 (Autologous blood or component, collection processing and storage; intra- or postoperative salvage) (For physician services to autologous donors, see 99201-99204).

Peruse Symposium Notes, Too

CPT® 2013 brings more inclusive language for healthcare providers — so said speakers at the AMA’s annual CPT® and RBRVS Symposium, with presenters sharing the latest news on fee schedules, new codes for 2013, and more.

If you missed the symposium, you can still get a glimpse of the presentation slides online at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/cpt/cpt-rbrvs-symposium.page.

Qualified healthcare provider: The most widespread change in CPT® 2013 — the switch to more inclusive or provider-neutral language — shouldn’t be difficult for physician practices to put into place.

“The concepts are pretty straightforward,” said Richard Duszak, Jr., M.D., an AMA CPT® Editorial Panel member. “There’s been an evolution in CPT® for how codes report services by non-physicians.”

Hundreds of codes were revised for 2013 to include “provider neutral language.” Codes throughout the book, such as 80 E/M codes, have replaced designations of “physician” with “individual” or “qualified health care provider.”

Not for labs: None of the “provider neutral” changes appear in the Pathology and Laboratory CPT® chapter. Nor do the changes mean that non-physician lab professionals can bill pathology physician services — those billing restrictions are governed by law.  

Check pathology: You can review dozens of presentation slides at the AMA site, but pathologists will find most useful the presentation, “Pathology Changes, 2013,” by Mark. S. Synovec, MD, College of American Pathologists, and AMA CPT Editorial Panel member.  

Synovec highlights CPT® 2013 changes in molecular pathology, multianalyte assays with algorithmic analyses (MAAAs), chemistry, immunology, tissue typing, microbiology, surgical pathology, and more.