Clinical chemistry
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Medicare will continue to increase its efforts to cut spending through aggressive review of claims and the use of new fraud and abuse regulations. Providers must be especially careful to provide correct procedure codes that define precisely what services have been provided and accurate diagnosis codes that link those procedures or tests to an appropriate diagnosis. ⋯ Coding and payment for new automated test panels are discussed, as well as the economic consequences of using smaller panels. Medicare coverage requirements, including medical necessity, are described, as well as the proper use of advance beneficiary notices and the Medicare appeals process.
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Letter Clinical Trial
Serum procalcitonin, but not C-reactive protein, identifies sepsis in trauma patients.