amcdaniels Coding hospital labs Posted: Mar 15 2010, 4:10 PM Why are the rules for assigining ICD9 codes to outpatient hospital labs so different from coding lab tests done in a physician's office? I am a CPC, CPMA, who is learning some hospital coding by coding outpatient lab tests from physicians requisitions, and what I thought I knew doesn't always apply. Very frustrating!   dsteed Hospital Lab Coding Posted: Mar 15 2010, 9:07 PM What are the issues that you have encountered? Rules that govern hospital billing & coding do vary quite a bit different from physician rules in certain areas. Although there are similarities between facility outpatient & physician reporting, there are other factors that hospitals may be required to consider.

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