Twelve New And Revised Pathology Codes

By Author: Angela Martin
Total Articles: 205
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Thinking about how to report influenza type and subtype identification or HIV intergrase activity? The new CPT 2011 codes will show you the way with effect from January 1, 2011.


Here's a brief description of clinical usage for the new and revised pathology codes so you'll have all the details on CPT 2011 changes.


Check out expanded influenza coding


The new CPT codes include three new codes for influenza typing - 87501-87503. The aim of the codes is to recognize analyte-specific molecular detection of influenza virus types and subtypes.


Even though influenza detection has had recognized importance for some time, it regained significance with the novel H1N1 pandemic last year.


You will pick from these three codes based on whether the lab identifies a single type or subtype (87501) or two types/subtypes (87502), and any additional types/subtypes (87503) for each additional type or subtype).


Train eyes on Integrase coding


CPT 2011 provides 87906 for reporting HIV genotype analysis. You should use ...
... this code for an HIV integrase test.


Notice that both 87901 and 87906 describe HIV genotype analysis, but they are not sequential as the intervening code numbers were already taken.


Keep a watch on pricing: Labs that run the integrase test say that it's more complicated and as much work as the reverse transcriptase and protease regions together (87901). However, CMS proposes to crosswalk 87906 to one half the payment rate of 87901, which examines two regions.


For more on the CPT 2011 changes and other pathology coding, Medical Coding updates, sign up for an audio conference and stay tuned!