June 2002 page 11a
Coding Consultation
Pathology and Laboratory, 88311-88313 (Q&A)
Question
If special stains are used for the examination of a nonsurgical pathology specimen, can codes 88312 and 88313 be reported? The code descriptor states that these codes are to be reported in addition to codes for surgical pathology examinations. Are codes 88311-88313 to be used only with codes 88300-88309?
AMA Comment
Codes 88311, Decalcification procedure (List separately in addition to code for surgical pathology examination), 88312, Special stains (List separately in addition to code for surgical pathology examination); Group I for microorganisms (eg, Gridley, acid fast...
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