tci Part B Insider - 2014 Issue 13

READER QUESTION: Know How to Report Repeat Lab Test

Question: A physician ordered an electrolyte panel for a 72 year-old female patient experiencing post-surgical headache, nausea, and weakness. Finding hyponatremia, the physician began hypertonic saline infusions and ordered a blood sodium test three more times that same day. Can we report the subsequent sodium tests even though sodium is part of the panel? Answer:  Yes, you can report both the electrolyte panel and the follow-up sodium tests, which the physician ordered for a medically-necessary diagnosis of 276.1 (Hyposmolality and/or hyponatremia). Bill the initial panel test using 80051 (Electrolyte panel; This panel must include the following: Carbon...

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