AMA CPT® Assistant - 2012 Issue 5 (May)
Molecular Pathology (May 2012)
May 2012 pages 3-10 Molecular Pathology The 2012 edition of the CPT code set contains 102 new molecular pathology codes. These new codes, along with others that will be forthcoming in 2013, represent one of the largest expansions to this subsection. Because the field of molecular pathology (or molecular diagnostics) is rapidly evolving - partially due to significant efforts to understand the molecular basis of disease, including the Human Genome Project - medicine's knowledge about the very basic elements of human affliction is being elucidated. Consequently, the number of new molecular pathology procedures and new diagnostic approaches, mainly in...
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Article Overview
This article explains the scope and organization of the 2012 CPT molecular pathology section and why it was introduced as a major update to laboratory coding. It discusses the broader reporting framework, the relationship to older methodological coding approaches, and the kinds of guidance included for molecular, genetic, and HLA-related services. The piece is aimed at coders, laboratory staff, and billing professionals who need to understand how the new section is structured and what categories of services it addresses.
Why This Topic Matters
Molecular pathology coding was undergoing a major transition in 2012, and this article helps readers understand the new CPT structure, the general reporting environment, and the kinds of molecular services covered. It is useful for organizations trying to stay aligned with payer expectations and codebook updates.
Article Sections
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May 2012 pages 3-10
Introductory material describing the 2012 molecular pathology CPT update and the broader context for the new section.
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Features of the New Molecular Diagnosis Code Section
General features of the new molecular pathology section, including tier structure, guideline support, and reporting concepts.
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Definitions
Reference definitions for terminology used in the molecular pathology section and related code descriptors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A set of practical questions and answers covering how the new molecular pathology section is organized and how related topics are addressed.
What You Will Learn
- How the 2012 molecular pathology CPT section is organized
- What categories of molecular pathology services the article discusses
- What kinds of supporting guidance are included in the new section
- How the article frames related laboratory and genetic coding topics
- Which broad payer and reporting issues were relevant during the 2012 transition
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Pathology and laboratory billing staff
- Clinical laboratory professionals
- Revenue cycle teams
- Physician practices that order molecular tests
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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