Wiki Panel Codes Question

[Jackie.Mix]

I have been wondering the answer to this question for a long time but I can never get a straight answer to this.
When coding for panel tests do you include the individual test codes by themselves when not all the tests are included in the panel, or do you include the individual test codes and the panel code?

For example: Hepatic function panel - Serum Albumin, Total Bilirubin, Direct Bilirubin, SGPT, and SGOT.

Would you use codes 82040, 82247, 82248, 84460, 84450 - or use these codes plus 80076??

I just dont understand if your supposed to use just the individual codes that are included or the individual codes plus the main panel code?

 

[sbicknell]

Here are the general rules on coding lab panels.

You can not code the tests individually and then also code the panel (that has the same tests) because that would be double coding

You code the most complete panel and then code for any left-over tests individually.

In order to code the panel, all tests in that panel must be performed.