Coding Coach: Capture Urine Culture Payment With These Best Practices

Why This Topic Matters

Urine culture services are common, and understanding the article’s scope can help readers evaluate whether it addresses coding, documentation, and coverage issues relevant to their practice.

Article Sections

1. Do: Let Test Specifics Guide Code Choice

   Introduces urine culture testing in the urology setting and discusses how test characteristics and coverage guidance affect code selection at a broad level.

2. Save 87088 for Positively Identified Bacterial Growth

   Covers follow-up laboratory reporting considerations after an initial urine culture and the documentation context associated with reporting additional testing.

3. Positive Cultures May Require Further Testing

   Summarizes additional urine susceptibility testing options that may be considered after a positive culture result.

4. Refer to the NCD for Guidance

   Reviews Medicare coverage guidance themes and the broad types of clinical indications described for urine culture studies.