Wiki Lymph node biopsy

[kabrodie]

Procedure is specifically described as cervical lymph node biopsy. However, the department coded the service as 88307 because it was a lymphoma evaluation. Flow cytometry, etc were coded separately. Since 88307 speaks only to lymph node resection I believe 88306 is correct. Any comments?
thanks!

 

[ajjanish]

There is no code 88306 - It would be 88305 unless it is a sentinal node. Sentinal nodes can be coded as 88307. 88307 is also for a regional resection...meaning multiple nodes.

 

[mannlx]

I disagree with the person above, there is an 88306, no just kidding, but really, I would agree that the coder did that correctly. When the lymph node is for lymphoma work up the pathologist does more work on the lymph node and it is an 88307. For the lymph node
biopsy specimento be processed for the diagnosis of lymphoma it must be received fresh and the patholgist must divided and sent to the other dept for further work-up.