Hello all!
I am wondering if anyone can offer guidance for ICD code entry for the 88141 pap smear interpretation?
The situation is this: We have a pap smear that is a screening code order = Z01.419 and the cytotechnologist moves the pap smear to the pathologist queue for review of (abnormal?) cells. The pathologist has a negative interpretation - the cells are normal so they (usually) enter a "negative" code = Z12.4. I know that this is an "Excludes 1" note and to be honest we have never had a problem until this week. So I am having that corrected.
However, what code should the pathologist be using in this situation? They were "told to enter a second code ICD after the ordering ICD" and so they enter Z12.4.
Do they really need (2) codes? If so, wouldn't they just use the Ordering code since this is a negative pathology? So they really DON'T need 2 codes.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!
Laura
I am wondering if anyone can offer guidance for ICD code entry for the 88141 pap smear interpretation?
The situation is this: We have a pap smear that is a screening code order = Z01.419 and the cytotechnologist moves the pap smear to the pathologist queue for review of (abnormal?) cells. The pathologist has a negative interpretation - the cells are normal so they (usually) enter a "negative" code = Z12.4. I know that this is an "Excludes 1" note and to be honest we have never had a problem until this week. So I am having that corrected.
However, what code should the pathologist be using in this situation? They were "told to enter a second code ICD after the ordering ICD" and so they enter Z12.4.
Do they really need (2) codes? If so, wouldn't they just use the Ordering code since this is a negative pathology? So they really DON'T need 2 codes.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!
Laura