Question:
What should coders know when selecting PLA codes for proprietary laboratory procedures?
Answer:
PLA codes may represent a wide range of proprietary laboratory procedures, including MAAA, genomic sequencing, drug/metabolite analysis, transfusion medicine and microbiology testing. When multiple PLA codes have identical descriptors, coders should review Appendix O of the CPT manual to differentiate the codes based on the manufacturer and proprietary name of the procedure.