Q Addendum B of the APC updates for 2012 indicates the new molecular pathology codes have status indicator E (noncovered service, not paid under OPPS). Our laboratory director said we should report these new codes in addition to the codes that are payable. Can you explain why?
On October 1, 2013, the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCSclassification systems will take effect, and should result in better data capture nationwide. The change means healthcare organizations urgently need to educate providers on the importance of improved patient care documentation.
In total, the AMA added 60 new codes throughout the surgery section of the 2012 CPT® Manual, 18 of which appear in the cardiovascular and respiratory system subsections. The AMA also revised 86 codes and deleted 48 codes in the surgery section.
Coders can find the largest number of new codes in the pathology and laboratory section of the 2012 CPT® Manual. The AMA added a total of 103 new codes, 101 of which denote Tier 1 and Tier 2 molecular path-ology procedures.
