Category: Blog

Coding High-Throughput COVID-19 Testing

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 […]
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Two New CPT Codes Effective Immediately

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 […]
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New 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 […]
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New CPT Resources Help Doctors

New CPT Resources Help Doctors Adapt to Shifting COVID-19 Demands

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced rapid changes on the way physician practices operate. To help doctors navigate the shifting landscape, the AMA has released guidance on issues related to the pandemic, including new Medicare policies, answers to patient concerns and, most recently, advice on coding for COVID-19 testing, treatment and telemedicine services. Resources include authoritative […]
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COVID-19 Specimen Collection Codes

COVID-19 Specimen Collection Codes

Clinical diagnostic laboratories can identify specimen collection for COVID-19 testing using two new HCPCS Level II codes, effective March 1, 2020. Check Patient Location Before Coding Medicare posted these new COVID-19  specimen collection codes in a March 31, 2020, special edition MLN Connects and in a last-minute revision to the April 2020 HCPCS Level II […]
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COVID-19 Coding_ Guidance On 11 Scenarios

COVID-19 Coding: AMA Provides Guidance On 11 Scenarios

The American Medical Association has published a COVID-19 coding scenario guide that includes a number of coding scenarios for physicians treating COVID-19 patients. The COVID-19 scenarios presented include: Patient comes to office for E/M visit, is tested for COVID-19 during the visit. Patient comes to office for E/M visit re: COVID-19 and is directed to […]
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COVID-19 Pandemic_ Medical Information Crisis

COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevent the Oncoming Medical Information Crisis

A case in point is the information infrastructure of the American healthcare system, which will play a critical role in understanding and battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as the capacity of some national health systems have been overwhelmed by the number of COVID-19 cases—most notably in Italy—healthcare providers and professionals in the U.S. run the risk […]
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