AMA CPT® Assistant - 2009 Issue 10 (October)
Pathology and Laboratory/Hematology and Coagulation (October 2009)
October 2009 page 12c Pathology and Laboratory: Hematology and Coagulation, 89190, 87205 (Q&A) Question: What CPT code would be most appropriate for billing of eosinophil count performed on urine or sputum specimens? CPT code 89190 , Nasal smear for eosinophils , is specific to eosinophil count from nasal smear; however, counts are often requested on fresh urine specimens and also on sputum specimens. CPT code 87205 , Smear, primary source with interpretation; Gram or Giemsa stain for bacteria, fungi, or cell types , represents Gram or Giemsa stain for cell types; however, the procedure for staining of urine samples uses Wright and...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article presents a coding question and answer from CPT Assistant on pathology and laboratory hematology/coagulation reporting. It is aimed at coders, laboratory billing staff, and compliance professionals who need to understand how the article frames specimen-based reporting issues and when unlisted procedure reporting is discussed. The content centers on a narrow laboratory scenario and the general documentation considerations that accompany the guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers determine whether the article addresses a laboratory billing situation relevant to hematology/coagulation workflows and unlisted procedure reporting. It is useful for organizations that need to track CPT-related laboratory guidance and documentation expectations.
Article Sections
-
Pathology and Laboratory: Hematology and Coagulation, 89190, 87205 (Q&A)
A question-and-answer discussion in pathology and laboratory coding focused on hematology and coagulation. The section addresses a specimen-based laboratory reporting scenario and related documentation considerations.
What You Will Learn
- The article’s scope within pathology and laboratory coding
- How the Q&A is organized around a hematology and coagulation topic
- The general type of documentation discussion associated with unlisted procedure reporting
- Whether the article is relevant to specimen-based laboratory billing questions
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Laboratory billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Pathology practice administrators
- Revenue cycle teams
Codes Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.


Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com