Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Distinguish 88387 family, too.New for CPT 2011, 88363 (Examination and selection of retrieved archival [i.e., previously diagnosed] tissue[s] for molecular analysis [e.g., KRAS mutational analysis]) isn't the only code that describes prep work that a pathologist might perform prior to molecular testing.Code 88363 describes the work when a pathologist retrieves a signed-out case to select appropriate tissue for molecular analysis. Make sure you know the difference between 88363 and codes from the following two code families.Watch 88380-88381 BundlesPathologists sometimes obtain target tumor cells for molecular analysis by using manual or laser capture microdissection techniques. You report the service using 88380 (Microdissection [i.e., sample preparation of microscopically identified target]; laser capture) or 88381 (... manual)."It's conceivable that a pathologist or one of his/her associates will select archival tissue for a molecular analysis ordered by the patient's physician and then perform microdissection on the archival tissue to prepare it for the test," [...]