Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: Is there one place we can go to find out about Medicare coverage for screening lab tests?

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you can go to the CMS Web site for preventive services at www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp. Once at the site, scroll down to "Downloads" and click on the most current version of The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Health Care Professionals.

Certain diagnostic tests are part of Medicare's preventive service, and you'll find documentation about covered lab tests in this file. Specifically, the guide outlines which lab tests Medicare covers, how frequently you can bill for each test, and what diagnosis codes show medical necessity for the service.

Reader Questions and You Be the Coder were prepared with the assistance of R.M. Stainton Jr., MD, president of Doctors' Anatomic Pathology Services in Jonesboro, Ark.