Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Distinguish Cyst, Neoplasm
Question: What are the correct diagnosis and procedure codes for a hair follicle excision specimen that the pathologist diagnoses as a Trichilemmal cyst?
Georgia Subscriber
Answer: The correct ICD-9 code is 704.42 (Trichilemmal cyst). When ICD-10 goes into effect Oct. 1, 2014, you’ll report the condition as L72.12 (Trichilemmal cyst).
Because this skin tissue exam is for a cyst, the appropriate CPT® code for the pathologist’s work is 88304 (Level III - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, Skin - cyst/tag/debridement). Make sure you don’t upcode to the service for skin neoplasms, 88305 (Level IV - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, Skin, other than cyst/tag/debridement/plastic repair).
Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
- CPT® 2014:
81057, 87661: These Codes May Have Ob/Gyn Clients Calling
Fetal evaluations and STD infection diagnosis at stake. You might see more lab test orders [...] - ICD-10:
Trichomoniasis Boasts Direct Crosswalk
Organism and infection site focus codes. Coding urogenital Trichomonas infections won’t change much when your [...] - CPT® 2014:
10 Reasons to Update Therapeutic Drug Assay Codes
See what you can expect for payment, too. When physicians order quantitative assays for therapeutic [...] - Modifier Update:
Avoid Pitfalls of 59 Overuse
Look to 91 or 76 in some cases. Rumor has it that Medicare no longer [...] - You Be the Coder:
Capture Polarizing Microscopy Service
Question: The pathologist examined a bursa fluid aspirate smear from the left elbow, identifying reactive [...] - Reader Question:
Distinguish Surgery from Pathology Procedure
Question:Our pathologist examined a “shave biopsy,” and when I spoke to the doctor’s office to [...] - Reader Question:
Modifier PT is Out for Pathology
Question: We billed 88305 and 88342 with modifier PT for a diagnosis of V76.51 and [...] - Reader Question:
Whooping Cough Test Code is in the Details
Question: Due to increased number of whooping cough cases, we’re starting to perform a screening [...] - Reader Question:
Distinguish Cyst, Neoplasm
Question: What are the correct diagnosis and procedure codes for a hair follicle excision specimen [...]
