Finding the right billing code is critical to getting paid for a biopsy.
Billers and coders work hard to turn the work of doctors, nurses and other clinicians into monetary reimbursements. With all the ICD-9 and CPT codes, it can be a challenge to match the correct code to a procedure. One wrong number and an insurance company or government agency can delay payment. When it comes to coding a frozen section biopsy, you must make sure you supply the correct code.
Instructions
1. Check with the physician, nurse or clinician responsible for the patient's procedure to make sure you not only understand the procedure that was performed, but how and where it was performed. You will need the method and location of biopsy for the ICD-9 code. The frozen section determines the CPT code.
2. Look up the appropriate ICD-9 code for the biopsy. This varies depending on the part of the body and technique used. For example, a biopsy of the urethra performed via cystourethroscopy is assigned to codes 57.32 and 58.23 while an exploratory thoracoscopy and a pleural biopsy receive 34.21 and 34.24 respectively.
3. Check your most recent CPT code set to make sure there have been no updates to the 88331 and 88332 codes for frozen section biopsies. Use free CPT directories available online to stay up to date.
4. Enter CPT code 88331 for the first frozen section biopsy and 88332 for all subsequent units.
5. Call the insurer you are billing if you have questions.
Tags: make sure, correct code, frozen section, frozen section, frozen section biopsy
