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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Reader Question:

82731: Analyte Leads Code Choice

Published on Mon Apr 09, 2012

Question: Our lab has started performing a fetal fibronectin test that an OB orders to assess the likelihood of premature rupture of membranes. How should we code the test?Utah SubscriberAnswer: The correct code for fetal fibronectin is 82731 (Fetal fibronectin, cervicovaginal secretions, semi-quantitative). Physicians may order the test to help assess the likelihood of pre-term labor, not necessarily premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Make sure you're not confusing the test with 84112 (Placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1), cervicovaginal secretion, qualitative), which is a new code in CPT® 2012 for a test that's commonly ordered to diagnose PROM. Bottom line: The test analyte, not the reason the physician orders the test, should guide your test code selection.
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