Advanced Search

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Breast Case:

Don't Miss Ancillary Service Charge for ER/PR

Published on Mon Jun 04, 2012

Catch 'status' diagnosis codes.After the pathologist's work outlined in "Track Each Test Phase to Boost Breast Specimen Pay" on page 49, you might find that the physician orders additional ancillary testing to help determine appropriate treatment protocols.Study the following scenario, then check our expert's advice to zero in on the correct coding -- and the correct pay -- for your pathologist's work. Check Out This ER/PR ScenarioTo assist in determining appropriate radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment following surgical removal of an infiltrating ductal carcinoma, the patient's physician may order tissue tests for estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status.The lab performs ER/PR immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains on the breast tumor tissue, and the pathologist evaluates the slides to make a qualitative determination of whether the tissue demonstrates weak, moderate, or strong staining intensity. Based on the findings of weak staining for ER and strong staining for PR, the pathologist diagnoses the breast tissue as ER negative [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

View All