A primary-care clinic orders a CPT organ-or-disease-oriented panel that includes several constituent tests. The lab report shows exactly those panel components and nothing extra. How should the professional lab codes be reported?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
A panel is the combo meal. If you ordered the combo and got only what is in it, you do not also ring up every item a la carte. That is classic unbundling.
Full Explanation
When a CPT panel code describes the set of tests performed, those constituents are not separately reported in addition to the panel. NCCI and CPT panel rules discourage unbundling panel components for higher payment. Extra tests beyond the panel definition may be reported separately when medically necessary and not otherwise bundled; identical panel contents alone are reported with the panel code.