If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten your username or password use our password reminder tool. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
When coding 88141 for the pap interpretation for Medicaid, which diagnosis codes should be included? If it was a screening pap smear, does the appropriate screening code (V76.2, V72.31, etc) need to be included with the pathological diagnosis?
We bill Medicaid with the screening codes alone and other times the orders are received with other codes. If the patient doesn't have family planning coverage only we get paid. If the patient has family planning they deny.
When I use the 88141 we always need to add the V code (V76.2 or V15.89) FIRST and then the interpretation from the pathologist second. Medicaid almost always denies it if the V code is not first.
Thanks for the feedback. We have been using the screening code and the pathological diagnosis if there is an abnormality. On some rare occasions, the pathologist will need to review it (thus the 88141 charge) but he/she will call it negative. In those cases we do submit just the screening code, and we don't seem to be having any problems.