Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: When we report a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) using three cards with patient-collected stool from three consecutive days, should we code three units of service for three separate dates? California Subscriber Answer: No, you should not code three units of service for the FOBT three-card test. Regardless of the reason for the test--screening or diagnostic--or the method-- peroxidase activity or immunoassay--you should report just one code for up to three stool specimens. You should choose the appropriate code from the following list based on the lab method and reason for the test: - 82270 -- Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity (e.g., guaiac), qualitative; feces, consecutive collected specimens with single determination, for colorectal neoplasm screening (i.e., patient was provided 3 cards or single triple card for consecutive collection) - 82272 -- Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity (e.g., guaiac), qualitative, feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations, performed for other than colorectal neoplasm screening - [...]