Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Capture Each Special Stain
Question: Our lab received a BAL specimen and used a liquid based preparation, then performed Gram, GMS, and AFB stains. How should we code this? Indiana Subscriber Answer: Code the bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) liquid-based preparation and examination as 88112 (Cytopathology, selective cellular enhancement technique with interpretation (eg, liquid based slide preparation method), except cervical or vaginal). The three stains you describe are for microorganisms: Gram stain, Gomori’s (or Grocott) methenamine silver (GMS) stain, and acid-fast bacilli (AFB). That means you should code the service as three units of 88312 (Special stain including interpretation and report; Group I for microorganisms (eg, acid fast, methenamine silver)).
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