Advanced Search

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

82962 Not Limited to Home

Published on Thu May 05, 2011

Question: Our physician-office lab performs glucose tests using a "home use" portable monitoring device that pricks the finger, collects the blood, and provides an automatic readout. Because the 82962 code definition says the test is for home use, should we use a different code to bill for the test, such as 82948?Arkansas SubscriberAnswer: You must use the code that most closely describes the test you perform -- which sounds like 82962 (Glucose, blood by glucose monitoring device[s] cleared by the FDA specifically for home use). You can report the code for use in a physicianoffice lab; the definition doesn't limit you to home use for the test.You shouldn't report 82948 (Glucose; blood, reagent strip) because the code describes a different test methodology.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

View All