88331 multiple units
Hello and once again thank you!
From you previous response I have placed an order the Padget.
The above said, would that apply to intraop consults as well?
brief example: Gross description 6 specimens breast labeled A-F
Intraop consult--
AFS (acid-fast stain), BFS (??), CFS (??) Negative for maligancy.
I presume the above are stains on specimens during intraop with the result.
Problem: 1. provider submitted 88331, x3, -26 for above intraop.
Is that appropriate? Based upon report I believe frozen exam was on specimens A,B & C.
If correct, the more appropriate billing should be 88331 -26, 88332 -26 & 88332 -26 (NO UNITS).
2. Are BFS (??), CFS (??) stains? if so, what do they mean?
3. What documentation is required for intraop consult? Should they not document which specimens were actually tested intraop?
I found, allbeit unofficial w/no REGs referenced, in supercoder a "TIP" stating
"Documentation must include diagnoses to support the medical necessity of the test during surgery. In addition, the documentation must support that the test is reasonable and necessary for the diagnoses. The ordering physician/practitioner should retain this information (e.g., history and physical, examination notes, etc.) as well as the order for the test.
Does Padget concur?
Do he reference an example?
Thanks again...greatly appreciated!