AMA CPT® Assistant - 1997 Issue 8 (August)
Pathology & Laboratory, 87040-87070 (Q&A) (August 1997)
August 1997 page 19a Coding Consultation Pathology & Laboratory, 87040-87070 (Q&A) Question What does "definitive" mean as it applies to codes 87040 - 87070 ? AMA Comment The word "definitive" in this series of codes refers to the final culture that identifies the organism. Reporting the codes in this series would indicate that a specific organism genus or group (eg, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Streptococcus) has been identified. Pathology & Laboratory, 87040-87070 (Q&A). CPT® Assistant. 1997; August 1997 page 19a ...
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Article Overview
This article is a short coding consultation from CPT Assistant focused on a pathology and laboratory topic. It addresses a terminology question tied to a CPT code range and explains the general context in which the guidance applies. The piece is relevant to coders and billing staff who work with laboratory testing and need to understand the scope of the discussion before reviewing the full article.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding the article helps readers judge whether the guidance applies to their pathology and laboratory coding questions, especially when working with culture-related reporting concepts in CPT.
What You Will Learn
- The general coding topic addressed by the Q&A
- How the article frames a terminology question in laboratory coding
- The broader context for pathology and laboratory reporting guidance from CPT Assistant
- The type of coding consultation presented in this short article
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Pathology and laboratory practices
- Compliance staff
Code Ranges Discussed
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