Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

CMS has delayed the effective date of the payment rates announced for Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) until further notice. The delay is due to errors in the Nov. 30, 2001, Federal Register announcing the final ambulatory payment classification (APC) groups due to go into effect Jan. 1, 2002. CMS will continue to pay for services covered under the OPPS under the rates in effect on Dec. 31, 2001, until the revised rates are published, no later than April 1, 2002.

For pathologists paid under OPPS for FNA and bone marrow aspiration or biopsy, continue to report these services with the 2001 CPT codes until the new APC rates are effective.