Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Report Add-On With Primary Service
Question: If the lab performs a PAS stain for fungus on an esophageal brushing, should I report only CPT 88312 ? Will this code stand alone because it is an add-on code? Answer: You should report both the primary service and the additional stain code. In this case, the primary service is 88104 (Cytopathology, fluids, washings or brushings, except cervical or vaginal; smears with interpretation) for the esophageal brushing. Report the special stain using +88312 (Special stains [list separately in addition to code for primary service]; Group I for microorganisms [e.g., Gridley, acid fast, methenamine silver], each). You cannot report an add-on code alone.
New Mexico Subscriber
CPT 2004 changed 88312's definition to clarify that you can report a special stain with a primary service other than surgical pathology, such as the cytopathology service (88104) that your lab performed.
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