Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

CPT® 2013 Preview:

Brace for Molecular Diagnostics, HLA, Microbiology Changes, and More

MAAA brings new 'algorithm' category.Even more than in 2012, you need to get ready for lots of changes to the pathology and laboratory CPT® section in 2013. CMS invited payment recommendations for nearly 40 new codes at the annual Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) public meeting held July 16, according to conference coordinator Glenn McGuirk. Look Ahead With This Summary TableWe've prepared a preliminary peek at what to expect for next year based on information from the CMS public meeting and AMA editorial panel comments: Preview MAAAs: CPT® 2013 introduces this new category of codes to describe procedures that involve analyzing multiple test results using an algorithm to provide prognostic or diagnostic information. These tests were developed "to answer particular clinical questions ... where a single analyte, or even combinations of analytes just read in series," would not provide complete information to the physician, according to Paul Radensky, M.D., representing [...]
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