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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Understand Method to Code HER2/NEU

Published on Wed Jul 04, 2012

Question: Our pathologists use a billing template to check off what tests were done, fill in the diagnosis, and submit for billing. As a coder, I read the report and match the billing before submitting. For HER2/NEU ISH testing, the template has printed 88367 x 2. When the report reads, "HER2 by FISH," is this 88367 or 88367 x 2? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: Assuming that the HER2/NEU test methodology is in situ hybridization (ISH) with automated counting (computer assisted), you should report two units of 88367 (Morphometric analysis, in situ hybridization [quantitative or semi-quantitative] each probe; using computer-assisted technology). Per probe: The code definition states, "each probe," and the HER2/NEU by fluorescence ISH (FISH) requires two probes. A common test procedure uses DNA probes, which are small segments of fluorescent DNA material. In a process called "hybridization," one probe that fluoresces green attaches specifically to chromosome 17 (where the [...]
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