Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Not Unbundling 86780 Could Get You in Hot Water Get You in Hot Water

Find a solution to surprising CPT OB panel instruction. You wouldn't think that one simple, new syphilis test code could cause so much trouble, but 86780 is doing just that. If your lab is struggling with how to report the obstetrics panel with treponemal antibody or how to code confirmatory testing, read on. Embrace Freedom from Confirmatory Restriction You'll find some good news in the new syphilis test code 86780 (Antibody; Treponema pallidum). Before CPT 2010 introduced 86780, the only treponemal antibody test code was 86781 (Antibody; Treponema pallidum, confirmatory test [e.g., FTA-abs]). Difficulty: Based on the code definition, you could only report 86781 when the physician ordered a confirmatory test following an initial syphilis test such as (86592, Syphilis test; qualitative [e.g., VDRL, RPR, ART]). But sometimes labs prefer to offer the Treponema pallidum antibody test as the initial tool for syphilis diagnosis. "Unlike tests such as the rapid [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more