Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Turn to Specific Urine Cytology FISH Code
Question: To monitor bladder cancer patients for possible recurrence by detecting possible urothelial carcinoma cells in urine, our lab performs the UroVysion® FISH test. I've been told that we should code this as 88399 or 88199 - which is correct? Maine Subscriber Answer: You should not report the UroVysion® FISH test with either unlisted code that you mentioned: 88399 (Unlisted surgical pathology procedure) or 88199 (Unlisted cytopathology procedure). More specific codes accurately describe the test, so you should report either 88120 (Cytopathology, in situ hybridization (eg, FISH), urinary tract specimen with morphometric analysis, 3-5 molecular probes, each specimen; manual) or 88121 (... using computer-assisted technology) as appropriate. UroVysion® FISH detection for recurrent bladder cancer consists of four fluorescent probes that detect urothelial carcinoma cells in urine. Although CPT® instruction does tell you to use 88399 for a urinary tract cytology test with more than five probes, that doesn't apply to UroVysion®, which has four probes.
Related Articles
Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
- CPT® 2018:
See How PLA Options Stir the Drug-Test Coding Pot
Recall presumptive, definitive difference and hierarchy. At first glance, you might think CPT® 2018 left [...] - Drug Testing:
Abide by Drug-Test Performance Parameters
Frequency and validity could trip you up. When your lab performs drug tests, you must [...] - Compliance:
See How Medicare Texting Guidance Impacts Your Lab
Learn different rules for orders and results. When physicians order tests from your lab, CMS [...] - You Be the Coder:
Capture Each Part of Renal Case
Question: Our pathologist was called to the operating room to evaluate a kidney biopsy specimen [...] - Reader Question:
Focus Vitamin D Coding
Question: A physician ordered a test for serum Calcidiol D2 and D3, which our lab [...] - Reader Question:
Take Heed of FNA Smear Exam Bundles
Question: Our pathologist evaluated a direct FNA specimen smear for diagnosis, then further processed the [...] - Reader Question:
Turn to Specific Urine Cytology FISH Code
Question: To monitor bladder cancer patients for possible recurrence by detecting possible urothelial carcinoma cells [...] - Reader Question:
Classify AIDS, HIV in ICD-10-CM
Question: How do I know when to code for AIDS (B20), not HIV (Z21)? Codify [...]
