Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

3 groups clarify parallel services. Prepare for a CPT® special-stain overhaul starting Jan. 1, 2012, but don't expect big changes to how you code your work. Although revisions impact every special stain code in the range 88312-88319, they're more minor repair than major revamp. See the changes for yourself with the chart on page 82. 'Interpretation and Report' is Primary Most, but not all, of the CPT® 2011 special stain codes include the phrase "including interpretation and report" somewhere in the code definition. CPT® 2012 moves the phrase to a position preceding the semicolon and includes it in every special stain code definition. Identify code family: CPT® 2012 creates a true code family of the code range 88312- 88319, because each subsequent code indents under 88312 (Special stain including interpretation and report; Group I for microorganisms [e.g., acid fast, methenamine silver]). Welcome Group III Notice that starting Jan. 1, 88319 [...]