Reader Question:
85060 Billing Requirements
Published on Thu Jun 01, 2000
Question: An 80-year-old Medicare patient has an abnormal CBC (complete blood count). The WBC (white blood cell count) exceeds the labs threshold requiring review (30,000). The pathologist reviews the smear and issues a report, Lymphocytosis consistent with C.L.L., (chronic lymphatic leukemia) which is written in the chart. Can he bill for this or does he need a specific request by the attending physician?
Mississippi Subscriber
Answer: The pathologist can bill for the 85060 (blood smear, peripheral, interpretation by physician with written report) without a specific request from the attending physician. To support such billing, follow these guidelines:
1. There should be a written laboratory policy, approved by the hospital, stating that when the WBC exceeds a certain threshold, a pathologist will review the slide and issue a written report.
2. In addition to the notation in the chart, generate a separate laboratory report for the medical record.
3. Both the chart notation and the report must be authenticated, that is, signed and dated.
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