Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

   

Prepare for lipoprotein and molecular diagnostics code changes

Prepare to update your lab codes for hemoglobin, lipoprotein, and immunology. You'll see these changes and more in the list of new CPT Codes unveiled by CMS in time for its July 18 public pricing forum.

Study the chart above to get a preview of what's in store for your lab coding in 2006. An "x" substitutes for the last digit of each new code because the AMA had not fully assigned the code numbers prior to their release for the meeting. 'Total Count' Immunology Codes Have Moved Some added and deleted codes are no more than a rearrangement of code order, says William Dettwyler, MT-AMT, president of Codus Medicus, a laboratory coding consulting firm in Salem, Ore.

CPT 2006 moves several total-count immunology codes that were new in 2005 near 86359 (T cells; total count). The AMA accomplishes the rearrangement by deleting codes 86064, 86379 and 86587 and adding new codes 8635x with the existing definitions. "Grouping the total-count codes together will make it easier for coders reporting clinical lab immunodeficiency test panels that involve total-cell counts," Dettwyler says. 

Other codes that have "moved" include deleted lipoprotein codes 83715 and 83716, which reappear as 8370x.

CPT 2006 also moves and modifies two category III temporary codes (0010T and 0023T) to category I codes 8648x and 8790x, respectively.