Tag: COVID-19 Testing codes

ICD-10 Codes for COVID-19 Symptoms

Do ICD-10 Codes Accurately Reflect COVID-19 Symptoms?

Although the integration of big data into health care has been increasing in recent years, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought this practice to the forefront, as many hospitals and care facilities struggle to keep accurate and timely records of COVID-19 cases while adhering to changing procedures implemented at the federal level. “The use of […]
COVID-19 Test Codes

New COVID-19 Test Codes Effective Immediately

Just when you thought you had all the COVID-19 coding for laboratory testing figured out — hold the phone — there are three new CPT® codes. These newest codes are effective June 25, 2020. CPT® Code Long Descriptor 0223U Infectious disease (bacterial or viral respiratory tract infection), pathogen-specific nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), 22 targets […]
COVID-19 Coding

CMS Releases Medicare Payment Rates for COVID-19 Test CPT Codes

Medicare payment rates for CPT codes 87635, 86769, and 86328 range from $42.13 to $51.31, CMS recently announced. CMS recently revealed how much it will pay for new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) for COVID-19 diagnostic tests. The guidance previously detailed Medicare payment rates for Healthcare Common Procedure […]
High-Throughput COVID-19 Testing Codes

Coding High-Throughput COVID-19 Testing

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created two new HCPCS Level II codes for lab tests that use high-throughput technologies to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The rate for these codes is $100, roughly twice the rate of similar tests that don’t use high-throughput technologies. Consider New Codes in Place of […]
Serology Lab Testing Codes

News Alert: Two New CPT Codes Effective Immediately

Reimbursement details have not yet been established. The American Medical Association (AMA) CPT® Editorial Panel has made adjustments to one code and introduced two new codes to enhance the specificity of serology laboratory testing. These codes, released on April 10, are immediately applicable. Reimbursement arrangements for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are […]
COVID-19 Testing Codes

New COVID-19 Testing Codes

During an emergency meeting in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the American Medical Association (AMA) convened the CPT  Editorial Panel to approve a new pair of Category 1 CPT codes. These two new codes are effective immediately, according to the AMA. “The new codes are intended for use as the industry standard for accurate reporting and […]