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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Watch for Separate Slide Prep Charge

Published on Sat Jul 25, 2009

Question: Our cytology lab prepares slides for UroVysion FISH by liquid based preparation (thin-prep). Can we charge 88112? Virginia Subscriber Answer: Labs may perform Abbott Laboratories' Uro-Vysion FISH test for bladder cancer using fresh urine specimens or liquid-based cytology slides. If your lab makes a thin-layer preparation slide from a urine specimen for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), you can list the slide prep as 88112 (Cytopathology, selective cellular enhancement technique with interpretation [e.g., liquid based slide preparation method], except cervical or vaginal). If the pathologist does not interpret the thin-prep slide because you're only using it for UroVysion testing, you should append modifier TC (Technical component) to 88112. The commercial UroVysion FISH kit for bladder cancer detection uses fourcolor interphase DNA probes, so the proper coding for the test is four units of 88368 (Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization [quantitative or semiquantitative], each probe; manual).
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