Practice Quiz

Medical Coding

Category - 40,000 Series

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The physician performed a needle biopsy of salivary gland and sent the aspirate out to pathology for study. What is the correct CPT code for the physician to report?
  1. 42400
  2. 10021
  3. 42400, 88172
  4. 42405, 88173
Explanation
Answer: A - The correct CPT code for the physician to report is 42400 (Biopsy of Salivary Gland; Needle). Code 42405 is not correct because it allows for an incisional biopsy of the salivary gland, whereas this procedure was done via needle. It is also not correct to code for the pathology service using codes 88172 or 88173 because the physician sent the sample out to the lab. The lab should code for the pathology service not the physician.
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