Wiki Modifier 26 in Pathology Coding

dchase58

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When is it appropriate to use modifier 26 on Pathology or Laboratory codes. Saw a reference to using it on Surgical Pathology. Is this correct and why?
 
26 modifier in Pathology coding

A 26 modifier would be appropriate for any codes that are done by a technician (TC) and the pathologist who would need to do a report or provide a reading(26). If the pathologist owns the equipment and does the report you would code globally without the use of modifier TC or 26. All the surgical pathology codes are done by a technician and then read by the pathologist, so all those codes are indicative of component coding. As I stated above you will need to know if the pathologists reading the specimens are employees of the facility or contracted doing their own billing this is where the modifiers come into play. Please let me know if that helps!
 
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