Pathology and Laboratory Microbiology (January 2000)

January 2000 page 11b Coding Consultation Microbiology, Pathology and Laboratory, 87449, 87430 (Q&A) Question Can code 87449 be reported for the confirmation test in addition to code 87340 hepatitis B surface antigen if the test is positive on a patient who has not previously been reported as positive? AMA Comment From a CPT coding perspective, if the hepatitis B surface antigen test ( 87340 ) is positive for a patient who has not previously been reported as positive, and a confirmation test by neutralization is done, code 87449 may or may not be reported for the confirmation test...

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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 article is a short CPT coding consultation from CPT® Assistant focused on pathology and laboratory microbiology. It addresses a coding question about when a confirmatory test may be reported alongside a laboratory antigen test, and it is relevant to coders working in microbiology, pathology, and clinical laboratory billing. The piece is a practical guidance Q&A rather than a broad policy update, and it centers on CPT-based reporting considerations for a specific laboratory scenario.

Why This Topic Matters

Laboratory coding decisions can affect whether related tests are reported together and how microbiology services are documented. This article helps coding professionals understand the scope of CPT guidance discussed in a consultant-style Q&A format.

What You Will Learn

  • How a CPT coding consultation addresses a laboratory confirmation-testing question
  • What general types of circumstances the article discusses for reporting a confirmatory microbiology test
  • How the article frames coding guidance for pathology and laboratory microbiology services
  • The role of a Q&A format in clarifying laboratory reporting topics

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Laboratory billing staff
  • Pathology and laboratory professionals
  • Compliance staff

Codes Discussed


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