[Histonet] RE: billing for breast cases

[Hutton, Allison]

I have gotten many great responses.  However, I just want to make a few clarifications based on those responses.  All of these specimens are taken at one time.  This surgeon is not going back at a later date and taking these margins.  Generally the cases are recieved as follows:  sentinel nodes, lumpectomy, additional anterior, superior, medial, lateral, deep margins.  90% of the time we do an gross assessment of the margins for the lumpectomy then the additional margins follow.  
Thanks
Allison

>  -----Original Message-----
> From: 	Hutton, Allison  
> Sent:	Wednesday, December 29, 2010 12:29 PM
> To:	'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
> Subject:	billing for breast cases
> 
> A debate has arisen and I am looking to histonet for a more definitive answer.  We have a breast surgeon who, after he removes the lumpectomy specimen, always goes back and removes more tissue around the margins of the lumpectomy.  Our question is how should these additional margins be charged.  Currently we charge an 88305 for each of the additional margins (there are no sutures indicating any orientation, however, one can determine the old and new margins).  Is 88305 the correct charge in this situation or should they be higher at an 88307?
> Thank you in advance,
> Allison