Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Organ and Disease Panel Codes
Anonymous Florida Subscriber
Answer: According to Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) program memorandum AB-99-80, providers have two options. For services provided and billed before April 1, 2000, pathologists and laboratories should use the 1999 CPT codes 80058 (hepatic function panel), 80049 (basic metabolic panel) and 80054 (comprehensive metabolic panel). The second option for dates of service beginning Jan. 1, 2000, is for providers to use the new codes (80048, 80053, 80069 and 80076) and hold billing until April 1, 2000. All services provided and billed beginning April 1, 2000, must use the new panels.
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