Wiki Coding DX in Pathology

[rlmarkow]

Does anyone know of a class or book regarding PC of Pathology specimens?
There must be some rules out there besides "code to the highest specificity".....

Any direction is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Rhonda

 

[epilcher]

Does anyone know of a class or book regarding PC of Pathology specimens?
There must be some rules out there besides "code to the highest specificity".....

Any direction is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Rhonda

Rhonda,

I am a coder for a Pathology lab and this is what I do for DX codes. When the pathologist diagnoses a specimen, I use the pathologists diagnosis. When the result is normal, I use the signs/symptoms for the tests. In some cases, I use both based on the amount of specimens on the case and if some results are mixed.

I hope this helps

 

[rlmarkow]

dx in pathology

Thanks for the info.......I am concerned with benign lymph nodes when there is breast cancer, and the benign margins.....

also...for a screening colonoscopy, when there is some benign tissue....medicare will not pay for the screening code.....what do you use?

Thanks for your help

Rhonda

 

[epilcher]

Thanks for the info.......I am concerned with benign lymph nodes when there is breast cancer, and the benign margins.....

also...for a screening colonoscopy, when there is some benign tissue....medicare will not pay for the screening code.....what do you use?

Thanks for your help

Rhonda

This is the way I see it:

When they are talking a lymph node biopsy to see if the breast cancer has spread, I use the breast cancer code. Simply because the medical justification for the lymph node biopsy was because they have breast cancer. Usually, the provider will include indications for the biopsy. It might be helpful to check their requisition.

Medicare will not pay for a screening colonoscopy. I've come by this at my lab and usually when a doctor takes out a colon biopsy is because they found something during the procedure. When that happens, it goes from screening to medical. Most of the time they'll see a polyp or something. Code for those.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Lizzy