Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: How should we code a case when we process a routine screening Pap smear but due to abnormal findings such as ASC-US, the pathologist goes on to interpret the slides and issue a report on the findings? Virginia Subscriber Answer: The answer to your question depends on whether you're reporting the service for a Medicare beneficiary or for a privately insured individual. For Medicare, you should select the appropriate procedure codes from HCPCS Level II to describe the Pap screening and pathologist interpretation. You have lots of codes to choose from, depending on the lab method used. In this case, you'll have to report one code for the screening test, and a second code for the pathologist's interpretation of the abnormal smear. For instance: If your lab processes the Pap test using thin-layer preparation methods, with manual screening, you should report G0143 (Screening cytopathology, cervical or vaginal [any reporting [...]