October 2000 page 7b
Coding Consultation
Pathology and Laboratory, 88321, 88323, 84999 (Q&A)
Question
Should codes 88321 and 88323 be reported once per batch of slides received or material provided, or by the number of actual specimens provided? Or should the code be reported only once no matter how many slides are provided or amount of referred material that must be prepared?
AMA Comment
From a CPT coding perspective, codes 88321, Consultation and report of referred slides prepared elsewhere, and 88323, Consultation and report on referred material requiring preparation of slides, should be reported per surgical case. For...
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articles:
Note: The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.
Article Overview
This October 2000 CPT Assistant Q&A covers selected pathology and laboratory coding questions. It is relevant to coders, billers, and compliance staff who work with consultation services and laboratory testing guidance, and it provides general discussion of reporting considerations and code selection within CPT.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers understand how CPT guidance applies to pathology consultation reporting and certain laboratory testing situations. It is useful for evaluating whether a given service falls within the article’s scope and for locating the specific codes discussed.
Article Sections
Coding Consultation
Discussion of pathology consultation reporting questions related to referred slides and referred material in the pathology and laboratory setting.
Pathology and Laboratory
Discussion of laboratory testing questions involving selected elemental analyses and the handling of tests without specific codes.
What You Will Learn
How this Q&A article frames pathology and laboratory coding issues
What topics are covered in the consultation reporting discussion
What topics are covered in the laboratory testing discussion
How the article is organized around CPT Assistant questions and responses
Who Should Read This
Medical coders
Billing staff
Compliance professionals
Pathology practice staff
Laboratory billing personnel
Codes Discussed
CPT: 88321
CPT: 88323
CPT: 83018
CPT: 84999
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