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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

CCI 18.2:

87501-87502: Influenza Virus Typing Trumps Lab Procedure Codes

Published on Mon Aug 06, 2012

See why reporting new bundles together was already noncompliant. Following an April Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) update with no changes for labs, the third quarter brings you significant new restrictions when billing certain influenza, in situ hybridization (ISH), and drug tests. CMS released CCI version 18.2 , effective July. 1, revealing 2,521 new active pairs and only 88 code pair deletions, according to Frank D. Cohen, MPA, MBB, senior analyst with Frank Cohen Group, LLC. Version 18.2 also changed the modifier indicator for 532 existing code pairs. "Unfortunately, 531 went from an indicator of '1' (you can use a modifier) to a '0' (you can't use a modifier)," Cohen states in his analysis of the changes. Focus on lab: Make sure you're aware of new lab-code CCI edit pairs and modifier indicator changes to ensure you're filing compliant, payable claims. Beware Numerous New 87501-87502 Bundles When CPT® added the following [...]
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