What should you do when not all tests in a panel are performed?

When not all tests in a panel are performed, the best practice is to code the tests individually. This approach ensures that each test is accurately represented in the coding process, allowing for precise reporting and billing. Individual coding reflects the actual services provided and maintains compliance with coding guidelines, which typically emphasize the importance of reflecting the true scope of medical services delivered.

Using the panel code when not all tests are completed may lead to overbilling or misrepresentation of the services rendered, which can bring about issues with insurance claims or audits. It’s essential to ensure accurate documentation and coding to uphold the integrity of the health care billing process, and factoring in only the tests that were performed guarantees that coding accurately mirrors the clinical activities conducted.

In scenarios where specific components of a panel are either not performed or are irrelevant to the patient's condition, the individual codes for those performed tests should be utilized, thus providing a clear and transparent record of the health care services delivered.