Wiki 87070 and 87086/Column 1 & 2 issue

[wrightju1]

I am getting denial on 87070 (Throat Culture) and 87086 (Urine Culture). It is coming up as a Column 1 and column 2 issue and I'm not savy on the whole column 1 and 2 thing.

It says I can use a modifier, and I'm not sure if I should use 59 or QP. I don't want to use any modifier until I under stand:

1. Why are they conflicting. One is a rapid strep and the other is for UTI?
2. What exactly is meant by column 1 and column 2?
3. Is in fact a modifier appropriate, and if so which one?

Can anyone offer some guidance on this? I'm not looking to just get the claim paid, I want to understand what is going on here.

 

[danachock]

87070 and 87086

The 87070 needs a 59 modifier due to relationship with 87086.
Yes I understand your confusion wondering what a throat culture has to do with urine but the 87070 can be used for coding urine cultures too.
Dana Chock, CPC, CCA, CHONC, CANPC
Anesthesia, Pathology & Laboratory Coder