Please help - Anyone who codes for pathology for the professional component. Do you code a diagnosis for every specimen the pathologist examines? Can anyone direct me to a guideline that states that? Or do you follow ICD-9 guidelines to sequence first the diagnosis,condition,problem, or other reason for the encounter shown in the medical record to be chiefly responsible for the service provided during the visit. Does pathology diagnosis coding have a different guideline to follow? Thanks so much for any help.