Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Don’t Count FNA ‘Passes’

Question: Our pathologist evaluated FNA thyroid specimens from three “passes.” First, he received the fluid from the three passes and performed an intraoperative evaluation for adequacy. Then he used liquid-based cytology for the slides. Should I report 88172 and +88177x2; 88173, and 88112? Alabama Subscriber Answer: No, that’s not the correct coding for this case. Instead, you should report 88172 (Cytopathology, evaluation [...]
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