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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Cell Block Stands Alone

Published on Thu May 01, 2003

Question: How should we code for bone marrow aspiration? Our pathologist may or may not take the specimen directly from the patient. Either way, the pathologist interprets the smear and typically examines the remainder of the aspirate that is processed as a cellblock. Can we report these separately? Washington, D.C., Subscriber Answer: If the pathologist performs the aspiration, report 38220 (Bone marrow; aspiration only). You should report the pathologist's examination of this specimen as 85097 (Bone marrow, smear interpretation). And, if the pathologist processes and examines a cellblock from the aspirate, you should also report that service using 88305 (Level IV Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, cell block, any source).  
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