What is the purpose of the cytopathology concentration technique (CPT® code 88108), and which types of specimen samples commonly require this technique before smear preparation?
When billing to Medicare, procedures that require interpretation by the physician/pathologist may be assigned to G0452 for billing, as long as it is clearly indicated that the skill of the physician/pathologist is reasonable and necessary. Interpretation performed by the non-physician laboratorian (doctoral level scientist, geneticists, or other appropriately trained non-physician healthcare professional) is covered within the technical component of the molecular pathology CPT and is not separately billable with HCPCS G0452.
This question was answered in our Coding Essentials for Laboratories. For more hot topics relating to laboratory services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.
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