Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Get paid with specific chemistry and microbiology codes If you-ve been wondering how to report an optical adenovirus immunoassay or a fecal calprotectin test, look no further than CPT 2008. Stop Using -NOS- Codes for Certain Tests You-ll need to stop using general codes now that CPT provides specific numbers for some formerly unlisted chemistry and microbiology tests, says William Dettwyler, MT-AMT, president of Codus Medicus, a laboratory coding consulting firm in Salem, Ore. For instance, start using the following new codes instead of "not otherwise specified" codes: For adenovirus: - Old way: 87899 -- Infectious agent detection by immunoassay with direct optical observation; not otherwise specified - New way: 87809 -- Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay with direct optical observation; adenovirus For fecal calprotectin: - Old way: 83520 -- Immunoassay, analyte, quantitative; not otherwise specified - New way: 83993 -- Calprotectin, fecal. Steer Clear of Non-Specific Lab Codes CPT 2008 also provides new, specific codes for the following chemistry and microbiology tests: - 87500 -- Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); vancomycin resistance (e.g., enterococcus species van A, van B), amplified probe technique - 84704 -- Gonadotropin, chorionic (hCG); free beta chain - 82610 -- Cystatin C. That's Not All for 2008 -- Find More Here The chart on page 3 will show you these changes and nearly 40 more code additions, deletions, and revisions that will affect your lab coding in the coming year.