Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Cryopreservation of Stem Cells
New York Subscriber
Answer: Stem cells may survive for many years when protected from freezing injury. A cryoprotectant such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used to control the rate of cooling. The cells are stored in a liquid nitrogen freezer with the temperature monitored very closely.
To code the cryopreservation and storage of peripheral blood stem cells, use code 88240 (cryopreservation, freezing and storage of cells, each cell line). Notes following the CPT codes for bone marrow or stem cell transplantation services (38230-38241) direct coders to 88240, which was a new code for this service in CPT 1999. Prior to that time, this service could be coded using 86890 and 86930 as you mentioned.
Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
- Get Paid for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
CPT 2000 does not contain a specific procedural code for sentinel lymph node biopsy. That [...] - AHIMA Releases New Standards of Ethical Coding
Proper coding for neurosurgical procedures and practices requires up-to-the-minute information, experience and skill, as well [...] - HCFA Proposes Uniform Policies For Clinical Diagnostic Labs
A proposed rule by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) could have a significant impact [...] - News Brief:
Look for Corrections to National CCI Version 6.1
Due to a large number of errors, the implementation of the national Correct Coding Initiative [...] - You Be the Coder:
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
Cervix Cone Biopsies
Question: We frequently receive cervix cone biopsies. The inner and outer cone are in separate [...] - Reader Question:
Cryopreservation of Stem Cells
Question: When peripheral blood stem cells are removed from a patient by apheresis, what code [...] - Reader Question:
Bronchial Washings
Question: What is the correct code for bronchial washings? When we receive documentation for this [...]
