Introduction
The Pathology and Laboratory section is organized according to the type of pathology or laboratory procedure performed. There are subsections within each pathology and laboratory section. Codes for laboratory tests performed on body fluids are ordered by physicians. The tests are performed by technologists under the supervision of a physician.
Codes reported for pathology screening tests, tissue cultures and chromosome analysis are under the Cytopathology and Cytogenetic studies, respectively. Surgical pathology subsections codes are reported when a specimen(s) removed during surgery require pathologic diagnosis. These codes are organized according to level.
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Apply physician-billing guidelines for coding laboratory services
- State the appropriate use of organ- or disease-oriented panels
- Select pathology level codes associated with pathological examination and diagnosis
Readings & Resources
Required textbook reading: Kuehn, Lynn. Procedural Coding and Reimbursement for Physician Services: Applying Current Procedural Terminology and HCPCS. AHIMA Press. 2012 edition.
Chapter 6
AMA, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 2013. Professional Edition.