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Bone marrow reports pathology

PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO BILL BONE MARROW REPORTS FOR PATHOLOGY.

Can all of these CPT codes be billed if stated on the report?
[*]85097 – Bone marrow; smear interpretation only, with or without[*]differential cell count[*]85060 – Blood smear, peripheral, interpretation by physician with[*]written report[*]88305 – Surgical pathology; gross and microscopic[*]88311 – Decalcification[*]88189 – Flow Cytometry[*]88313/88312/88342/88341- Special/Immuno Stains

Graciela Lopez-Villa, NCICS, CPB
Coding & Reimbursement Specialist | Department of Pathology

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow aspiration w/Bone graft other than spine

I am seeking guidance on which would be the correct code to use for Bone Marrow aspiration w/Bone graft other than spine. There seems to be a contradiction in the guidelines/instructions regarding 20939 and 38232. Others have stated that 20999 should be used. Has anyone had any experience with these codes. Thank you

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Harvest and implantation of bone marrow aspirate denials

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with how to bill for bone marrow harvesting for transplantation with Medical Mutual of Ohio? Our podiatrists have been submitting code 38232, however these claims are coming back denied as service not payable for rendering provider specialty. I’ve called MMO and I’ve been advised that neither 38232 or 38220 are payable to this specialty. If anyone knows how to get our providers paid for this service your help would be greatly appreciated.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration Coding

Our Podiatrist performed a bone marrow aspiration and introduced it into the surgical site. A portion of the op note is below:

Procedure 3 cotton osteotomy right foot medial cuneiform:
Attention was then drawn to the dorsal aspect of the right foot where a 5 cm was generated over the medial cuneiform. Dissection was carried down to the level of the periosteum of the medial cuneiform using a combination of sharp and blunt dissection. Transverse osteotomy was performed, and a metatarsal spreader was used to help relax the soft tissues on the plantar most surface of the medial cuneiform. A Hintermann was introduced to allow for enhanced distraction and a size 6 cotton wedge bone graft was introduced to the medial cuneiform. Prior to doing so, 3 mL of bone marrow aspirate was introduced into the osteotomy site, bathing both the graft as well as the inferior surface. Temporary fixation came in the form of a 0.062 K-wire that was introduced proximal to distal. The wound was irrigated and closed. Prior to doing so, bone putty osteoconductive material was packed around the graft.

Procedure 6 bone marrow aspiration right heel:
Prior to insufflation of the tourniquet, a Jamshidi needle was introduced to the lateral aspect of the body of the tuberosity of the calcaneus. Under negative pressure, 5 mL of bone marrow aspirate was obtained for introduction to both the calcaneal osteotomy as well as the cotton osteotomy site. Once the bone marrow aspirate was obtained, the wound was irrigated and closed in the usual fashion. The patient was then taken to the PACU with neurovascular status intact to the right foot and ankle. The patient tolerated the procedure and the anesthesia well.

There is disagreement in our office as to what the bone marrow aspiration should be coded as:
38220 which the Coder’s Desk Reference says is diagnostic and sent out to be analyzed which he did not do
or
38232 which is more for harvesting for use in an actual transplant
or
0232T PRP which can be by blood or bone marrow but he did not state he spun it down

Any help would be appreciated

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration Coding

Our Podiatrist performed a bone marrow aspiration and a portion of the op note is below:

Procedure 3 cotton osteotomy right foot medial cuneiform:
Attention was then drawn to the dorsal aspect of the right foot where a 5 cm was generated over the medial cuneiform. Dissection was carried down to the level of the periosteum of the medial cuneiform using a combination of sharp and blunt dissection. Transverse osteotomy was performed, and a metatarsal spreader was used to help relax the soft tissues on the plantar most surface of the medial cuneiform. A Hintermann was introduced to allow for enhanced distraction and a size 6 cotton wedge bone graft was introduced to the medial cuneiform. Prior to doing so, 3 mL of bone marrow aspirate was introduced into the osteotomy site, bathing both the graft as well as the inferior surface. Temporary fixation came in the form of a 0.062 K-wire that was introduced proximal to distal. The wound was irrigated and closed. Prior to doing so, bone putty osteoconductive material was packed around the graft.

Procedure 6 bone marrow aspiration right heel:
Prior to insufflation of the tourniquet, a Jamshidi needle was introduced to the lateral aspect of the body of the tuberosity of the calcaneus. Under negative pressure, 5 mL of bone marrow aspirate was obtained for introduction to both the calcaneal osteotomy as well as the cotton osteotomy site. Once the bone marrow aspirate was obtained, the wound was irrigated and closed in the usual fashion. The patient was then taken to the PACU with neurovascular status intact to the right foot and ankle. The patient tolerated the procedure and the anesthesia well.

There is disagreement in our office as to what the bone marrow aspiration should be coded as:
38220 which the Coder’s Desk Reference says is diagnostic and sent out to be analyzed which he did not do
or
38232 which is more for harvesting for use in an actual transplant
or
0232T PRP which can be by blood or bone marrow but he did not state he spun it down

Any help would be appreciated

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy Coding

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy codes received updates in CPT® 2018 that significantly change how the services are reported. Existing codes 38220 and 38221 were revised: 38220 Bone Diagnostic bonemarrow; aspirationonly(s) 38221 Bone Diagnostic bonemarrow; biopsy, needle or trocar(ies) Note: To demonstrate the updates for 2018, new text is underlined and deleted text is struck […]
AAPC Knowledge Center

Medial collateral ligament lengthening & bone marrow venting

Does anyone know if I can use 29879 for the above procedure or should I use unlisted 29999 or would this be considered part of 29882? Has anyone heard of bone marrow venting?
Op Report: Anterolateral portal established–Patellofemoral trochlear surfaces normal as well as medial lateral gutters. Medial joint line was entered. A valgus stress was applied. We saw the radial-type tear of the posterior horn & body junction of the medial meniscus. An anteromedial portal was established parallel to tibial plateau. We noted the superior articular edge of the tear was approximately 50% whereas the undersurface tear was nearly 100% of the meniscus. We used a shaver, rasp & needle to trephinate the capsular tissues. We also used a spinal needle 18-gauge to trephinate the medial collateral ligament to allow for a medial collateral ligament lengthening procedure so that we could enter the medial compartment without damaging the articular surfaces of the medial femoral condyle or tibial plateau. We then from both the anterolateral & anteromedial portal used a Arthrex scorpion device to place vertical mattress sutures across the radial tear. The sutures were tied with sliding & locking knots with alternating half hitches & post. A total of 4 sutures were inserted. There is anatomic approximation of the medial meniscus tear. The ACL & PCL were intact. The lateral meniscus, lateral femoral condyle & tibial plateau articular surfaces were normal. We then used a 45 degree awl to perform a bone marrow venting procedure of the lateral femoral condyle just anterior to the anterior cruciate ligament insertion site. Following this the water was turned off. There was bone marrow & blood extravasating from the bone. Wounds were closed, steri-strips applied & dressings applied.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration/Marrow Coding HELP!

Can anyone give me some insight on reporting 38220, 38221 for Hospital Outpatient coding and reporting guidelines? This is a big discussion within our department.

some feel that 38221 is the only code that should be reported for aspiration/biopsy.

Others feel that if they do aspiration and biopsy that both should be reported, 38220 and 38221.

How can we distinguish the two and know what codes are accurate to report?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Incident to billing and bone marrow biopsy

A physician sees a new patient and performs the exam, history and medical decision making. The physician requests the patient return back to the clinic (place of service 11) in a few days for a bone marrow biopsy. The patient returns and the nurse practitioner (employed by physician) performs the biopsy. Can this biopsy be billed as incident to?
thank you!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Incident to billing and bone marrow biopsy

A physician sees a new patient and performs the exam, history and medical decision making. The physician requests the patient return back to the clinic (place of service 11) in a few days for a bone marrow biopsy. The patient returns and the nurse practitioner (employed by physician) performs the biopsy. Can this biopsy be billed as incident to?
thank you!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum