Abstracting from the Path Report

Whether you’re a coder hunting for the right CPT, a tumor registrar assembling a perfect abstract, or a practice manager double‑checking documentation, that pathology report is gold— if you know how to mine it. In this episode Jennifer breaks down her go‑to process for turning dense, microscopic jargon into clean, billable data that tells the patient’s full story. In this conversation you’ll learn: How to navigate the four must‑read sections of every path report (and why the microscopic description isn’t always the MVP). Pro tips for translating diagnostic phrases into precise ICD‑10‑CM codes—without over‑coding malignancy. When a single tumor can drive multiple CPTs (and when bundling rules shut that down). Common abstracting traps—margin language, laterality gaps, and “NOS” pitfalls—and how to fix them before they hit the claim. Simple query templates that get pathologists to clarify size, grade, or margins without slowing the lab down. Loved the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite lab or HIM team.