Certain pathology services to get new status indicators in July

Q: Are there any status indicator changes for July?

A: CMS is changing the status indicators for several pathology services in the July update. Two are changing from the current assignment of Q4 (conditionally packaged laboratory tests) to N (unconditionally packaged service). Two are changing from status indicator N to Q4. All changes are retroactive to January 1, 2016.

The codes changing from status indicator of Q4 to N are:

• 85396, coagulation/fibrinolysis assay, whole blood (e.g., viscoelastic clot assessment), including use of any pharmacologic additive(s), as indicated, including interpretation and written report, per day
• 88141, cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), requiring interpretation by physician

Those changing from status indicator of N to Q4 are:

• 88174, cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation; screening by automated system, under physician supervision
• 88175, cytopathology; with screening by automated system and manual rescreening or review, under physician supervision

Editor’s note: Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, senior vice president of revenue integrity services at Revant Solutions, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, answered this question.