General Surgery Coding Alert - 2015 Issue 13
Reader Questions: Know Path Storage Rules
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Article Overview
This reader Q&A reviews CMS date-of-service policy for clinical laboratory tests and the facility technical component of anatomic pathology services. It addresses how specimen storage duration and the timing of orders after a hospital discharge affect the date-of-service determination, and it is aimed at coders, billers, and pathology staff who need a general understanding of these rules.
Why This Topic Matters
Date-of-service rules can affect claim accuracy, compliance, and reimbursement timing for laboratory and pathology work. Understanding when the specimen collection date, storage date, or procedure date applies helps organizations support correct reporting under CMS policy.
What You Will Learn
- How CMS date-of-service policy is applied to laboratory and pathology services
- How specimen storage duration affects the reported date of service
- How timing after a hospital discharge relates to date-of-service handling
- Which parts of anatomic pathology are included in the policy framework
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Pathology billers
- Laboratory billing staff
- Compliance personnel
- Revenue cycle staff
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