Microbiology/Pathology and Laboratory (October 2003)

October 2003 page 10a Coding Consultation:Questions and Answers Pathology and Laboratory, 87070, 87147 (Q&A) Question The lab performs a finger wound culture. The sheep blood agar grows a betahemolytic cream colored organism. Based on morphology, the tech performs a catalase () and a Staph latex () The organism is reported as 4 Staphylococcus aureus. What are the appropriate codes to report? AMA Comment Code 87070, Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood or stool, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates, is reported for the culture. The catalase test is part of the presumptive identification as indicated...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This premium article presents a coding consultation in pathology and laboratory medicine from October 2003. It is aimed at coding professionals, billers, and laboratory staff who need to understand how a microbiology scenario is discussed in CPT Assistant and how the article frames reporting of a culture alongside related laboratory identification testing. The content is a short Q&A format and centers on CPT-based laboratory reporting guidance.

Why This Topic Matters

Laboratory coding often depends on distinguishing the primary culture service from related identification or typing work. This article is relevant for understanding the CPT Assistant discussion of a microbiology scenario in a way that supports accurate lab documentation and code lookup.

Article Sections

  1. October 2003 page 10a

    Introductory page marker for the coding consultation content in this issue.

  2. Coding Consultation: Questions and Answers

    A short Q&A format article presenting a laboratory coding scenario and the accompanying editorial guidance.

  3. Pathology and Laboratory, 87070, 87147 (Q&A)

    The main microbiology coding discussion for a specimen culture scenario and associated laboratory reporting considerations.

What You Will Learn

  • The general CPT Assistant topic area covered by this issue
  • How the article frames a microbiology coding question in Q&A form
  • The types of laboratory services discussed in relation to culture and organism identification
  • How a coding consultation article can help with lab documentation review

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Pathology and laboratory billers
  • Clinical laboratory staff
  • Revenue cycle professionals
  • Compliance staff

Codes Discussed


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