Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

# Makes Finding Analyte-Specific Codes Harder than Ever

Overcome unraveling of CPT's alpha/numeric conventions with these tips. Relying on numerical or alphabetical order to ensure that you find the correct chemistry code? Watch out. With the new # symbol and other CPT changes, you won't always find specific codes where you expect them -- and using an unspecified code when a specific code is available could compromise your pay. Get Familiar with # for Numerical Order Disruption Notice that new # sign in your CPT book? CPT 2010 introduces the symbol to alert you to an out-of-order code. The "#" works like a flashing yellow light: Slow down, there might be something unexpected. Rather than moving groups of codes to new sections, the AMA has created another option. "Resequencing makes a lot of sense to avoid renumbering the codes," explained William T. Thorwarth, Jr., MD, in "CPT 2010 Overview" at the CPT and RBRVS 2010 Annual Symposium's opening session [...]
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