Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Capture $38.05 with this new-opportunity code.When your pathologist examines and selects previously diagnosed tissue for molecular analysis, you didn't have a code to capture the service -- until now.For the first time, CPT 2011 gives you the ability to get paid for this service by adding 88363 (Examination and selection of retrieved archival [i.e., previously diagnosed] tissue[s] for molecular analysis [e.g., KRAS mutational analysis]). Your practice could recover $38.05 for the procedure, based on the Medicare physician fee schedule national facility total amount using conversion factor 33.9764.Follow these tips to learn when and how to code for this service.Tip 1: Pathologist Must Select MaterialSimply retrieving an archive case report, blocks, and/or slides from storage isn't enough to warrant an 88363 charge.To use the code, the pathologist must identify and select "appropriate tumor tissue from previous surgical specimen," according to CPT Changes 2011 -- An Insider's View. "This identification and selection is critically [...]