Laboratory and pathology coding...we cover it all!
For coding help that encompasses all laboratory and pathology services, there is still only one clear choice: MedLearns Coding Essentials for Laboratories book. Applicable to hospital-based, physician office and independent laboratories, this two-in-one resource uses concise, straightforward language, without the regulatory-ese, to answer your coding, billing and compliance questions. You simply wont find a more comprehensive how-to book of its kind! Highlights:
- Detailed descriptions of 2012 CPT/HCPCS coding additions, deletions and revisions for all laboratory and pathology services
- Step-by-step guidance encompassing the entire 8XXXX CPT code series clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, plus pathology, cytology, histology and blood products
- Coding and billing tips to help you capture every appropriate reimbursement dollar while preventing errors that may be red flags for recovery auditors
- Must-know points about the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) and how it applies to the billing of code pairs and use of modifiers
- Identifies frequent errors by CPT code, via Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT)
- Sample chargemasters in every chapter, covering all laboratory disciplines
- At-a-glance tables providing essential payment information for pathology services
- Links to CMS documents, a convenient way to access official directives specifically concerning laboratory services
- NEW FOR 2012:
- Covers significant 2012 code changes, including 100-plus new procedure codes for HLA typing and molecular pathology, as well as revisions to several laboratory and pathology code descriptions
- Details payment changes, both technical and professional, resulting from the new codes for genetic testing and molecular pathology
- Explains critical updates you will need to make to your chargemaster and software interfaces
- Updated guidance with the selection of correct codes for drugs of abuse and toxicology testing
Findings from MedLearn consulting experts
MedLearn publications address your real-world challenges and concerns, including the following examples shared by our consulting experts.
A $30,000 coding error We see many errors in coding and billing for microbiology tests. One of our hospital clients realized they were miscoding for urine cultures, resulting in lost revenues of at least $30,000 annually. They could have avoided this issue by using our book to conduct a self-audit of their coding and billing practices.
Short-changed on blood products Coding for blood products continues to be a common and costly problem area for many hospitals. Often they code for basic product processing, when they should be coding for premium product processing. For example, they assign HCPCS code P9021 for red blood cells, which pays $141.73 per unit under Addendum B, when in fact the product might be leuko-reduced, irradiated red cells (P9040) at $245 per unit. By failing to assign codes that describe further processing such as deglycerolization ($363.91), the missed payments really add up!
Billing once, billing twice The most frequently billed CPT code is for venipuncture. Yet laboratories often dont understand the billing requirements, specifically whether to bill once or multiple times. Coding Essentials for Laboratories gives them the answers to help prevent line item denials for this common procedure.
Date of service errors When reporting date of service, should it be the date a specimen was collected by an outside entity? Or the date it was received in the laboratory? Unbeknownst to many facilities, the rules have changed, resulting in incorrect reporting. If a claim contains erroneous dates of service, hospitals may lose reimbursement dollars. Laboratories can use this book as a tool to avoid conflicts with date of service reporting.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association
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