Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Let 'reason' distinguish procedure and diagnosis codes. Even if your lab performs lots of prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, you might not be getting all the pay you deserve if you don't follow these expert tips. 1. Have Physician Select Reason From the Get-Go PSA diagnosis and procedure coding depends on one piece of information -- the reason for the test. The "reason" comes in the form of an ordering diagnosis (ICD-9 code), which you must have to show medical necessity for the test. Unfortunately, labs don't get to pick that code, according to Stan Werner, MT (ASCP), administrative director of Peterson Laboratory Services PA in Manhattan, Kan But you can provide physician education and design requisition forms to help ensure that the physician assigns a payable diagnosis for PSA. Do this: Make your requisition form with blanks for the physician to select either "screening" or "diagnostic" PSA. Then have the [...]