Hi Hazel,
You are correct, you may only charge each special stain once per specimen.
With your kidney biopsy, you have 6 PAS stains which would be 88313 x1, 2
Jones stains = 88313 X 1, and 1 trichrome = 88313 X 1.  The 88305 is the CPT
code for the kidney biopsy gross and microscopic exam + the H&E stain.  
Debbie J. Siena, HT(ASCP)
NSH Legislative Chair
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, TX 75246
214-820-2465 vm
214-820-4110 fax
ds.jennings-siena@baylordallas.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: Horn, Hazel V [mailto:HornHV@archildrens.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 9:12 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: help for billing clarification


I need some help with documentation for billing.    I have always understood
that when billing for special stains or immunos, you can only bill once for
a specific stain on each specimen.   i.e......1 renal biopsy = 6 pas stains,
2 jones' and 1 trichrome.   According to what I have always thought, that
would be one 88305, and three 88313's.

Because the CPT code book lists each after the 88313, some are saying we can
bill for nine 88313's.     I am sure this is not right but I need it in
WRITING for anyone to believe me.   Can anyone help me out???    Or I am
wrong about this billing issue??

Thanks,
Hazel