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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

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Resolve FNA With Cell Block Question

Published on Tue Feb 16, 2010

Question: I've heard that we can't bill any additional preparations with an FNA specimen. Does that mean we can't bill 88305 for a cell block with 88173 for the FNA? Michigan Subscriber Answer: No -- the restriction on "additional preparations" with a fine needle aspirate (FNA) specimen doesn't extend to a cell block. If the pathologist evaluates an FNA specimen and a cell block prepared from aspirate remaining following smear preparation, you can report both of the following codes: • 88173 -- Cytopathology, evaluation of fine needle aspirate; interpretation and report • 88305 -- Level IV -- Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination, cell block, any source. The restriction for additional preparations that you refer to involves other non-gyn cytopathology codes 88104-88112 (Cytopathology, fluids, washings or brushings, except cervical or vaginal; ...) and 88160-88162 (Cytopathology, smears, any other source; ...). You shouldn't report any of these codes in addition to 88173 for a single [...]
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