Wiki Pathology

KaylaRieken

True Blue
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Waukee, IA
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Does anyone wait for pathology for diagnosis codes or do you just go with what is on the operative report?
 
We wait for the pathology (we are an oncology practice), unless the path is taking an exceedingly long time (like over 10 days).
 
I code for gyn oncology. IF a potentially different diagnosis would change the CPT code, then I wait for final pathology. Otherwise, I bill the diagnosis on the op note. For example, a laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for a normal sized uterus is the same CPT code regardless of diagnosis. A total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy however, has a different CPT if it is for a malignancy.
I'm sure most dermatology practices wait for pathology to decide to bill with benign lesion or malignant lesion codes.
 
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