Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: We do the same lab test for 82947, 82950, 82951, and 82952 -- is the number of glucose tests the only difference in the codes?Mississippi SubscriberAnswer: No, the number of glucose tests is not all that distinguishes the following codes:82947 -- Glucose; quantitative, blood (except reagent strip)82948 -- ... blood, reagent strip82950 -- ... post glucose dose (includes glucose)82951 -- ... tolerance test (GTT), 3 specimens (includes glucose)82952 -- ... tolerance test, each additional beyond 3 specimensDoes patient consume glucose? If the lab receives a fasting blood sample with no indication that the patient consumed a glucose dose, you should select 82947 or 82948, depending on the lab method. If the lab runs multiple glucose tests on the same day with no evidence of a glucose dose, you should report multiple units of either 82947 or 82948. Depending on the payer, you might need to append modifier 91 (Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test).On the [...]