Technical Fees for CPT 88180

From: Tom Sawyer (TSAWYER@MCO.EDU)
Date: Mon Sep 30 2002 - 10:34:53 EST


Dear Clinical Cytometry Colleagues-

I am currently involved in an ongoing discussion  (translated-argument)
with our hospital administration on appropriate pricing for
immunophenotyping of leukemia and lymphoma panels. The pricing they are
proposing is based upon data provided from a data base company and the
few figures I have been able to get my hands on amaze me. As most of you
are aware, immunophenotyping is billed under CPT code 88180 on a per
marker basis. The prices provided by the data base company  range from
single digits to  over $1K. It seems obvious to me (but I could be
wrong) that some of the values in the companies data base are the price
for a full panel, not the price per marker. Needless to say, when one
uses this data and calculates a mean it is slightly skewed to the high
side. I think my only chance of convincing the powers at be that they
are using faulty data for decision making is to do my own mini survey. I
would deeply appreciate any of you providing me with the price per
marker charged by your institution. This info will be kept confidential.
Please respond directly to me as we really shouldn't clutter the mailing
list with this relatively meaningless drivel. I will compile the data
after a week or two. If you are interested in the results please
indicate so in your reply and I will send them to you when completed.
Thanks in advance.

Tom Sawyer
Flow Cytometry Specialist
Flow Cytometry Laboratory 32HE
Medical College of Ohio
3055 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, OH  43614-5806
Phone:  419.383.4212
Fax:  419.383.3076
email:  tsawyer@mco.edu



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