Laboratory Question for the Week of June 27, 2016

By NDueaLaboratory
Laboratory Compliance Question of the Week

Question:

When is it appropriate to report codes 80061 and 83721 together?

Answer:

When indicated by elevated triglyceride levels of greater than 400 mg/dl, it may be medically necessary to perform a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by direct measurement in addition to the lipid panel (80061). According to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) policy narratives, it is appropriate to append modifier 59 if test results support the separate billing of 83721 (lipoprotein, direct measurement; LDL cholesterol) with 80061.

 

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Disclaimer: Every reasonable effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time it was published. However, due to the nature of industry changes over time we cannot guarantee its validity after the year it was published.