Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: Sometimes we process CSF both by cytospin and thin-layer preparation because the pathologist feels that the two types of slides together provide better diagnostic information. How should we report the cytopathology service?


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Answer: You should not report both a cytospin (88108, Cytopathology, concentration technique, smears and interpretation [e.g., Saccomanno technique]) and a thin-layer preparation (88112, Cytopathology, selective cellular enhancement technique with interpretation [e.g., liquid-based slide preparation method], except cervical or vaginal) for the same specimen. 

Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits have a mutually exclusive edit pair for codes 88112 and 88108. CMS says that you should report -only one code from a group of related codes describing a group of services that could be performed on a specimen with the same end result.-

Only if you perform these two services on two different specimens should you override the edit pair with modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service). CCI lists the 88112/88108 edit pair with a modifier indicator of -1,- meaning that you can override the edit with the modifier when appropriate.