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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

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88305, 88161: Beware Bundles

Published on Wed Apr 06, 2011

Question: When our pathologist processes a lymph node specimen, he often prepares touch prep slides for H&E staining that he examines along with the tissue slides. Can we charge for the touch preps in addition to the lymph node specimen exam? Tennessee Subscriber Answer: No, you shouldn't charge for tissue touch preps in addition to the tissue specimen exam for the situation you described. You should bill only 88305 (Level IV -- Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, lymph node, biopsy). CPT provides the following codes for touch preps: 88161 -- Cytopathology, smears, any other source; preparation, screening and interpretation 88162 -- ... extended study involving over 5 slides and/or multiple stains 88333 -- Pathology consultation during surgery; cytologic examination (e.g., touch prep, squash prep), initial site 88334 -- ... cytologic examination (e.g., touch prep, squash prep), each additional site (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure). You should not use codes 88333-88334 [...]
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