Laboratory Question for the Week of June 25, 2018

Question:

Are methodology specific CPT® codes from the chemistry section applicable to the coding of drugs of abuse testing?

Answer:

Methodology specific CPT codes from the Chemistry section are no longer applicable to the coding of drugs of abuse testing. Do not bill for handling charges associated with sending the specimen to a reference lab. Handling charges and urine collection are not separately billable line items.


CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

This question was answered in the 2018 edition of Coding Essentials for Laboratories. For more hot topics relating to laboratory services, please view our store, or call us at 1.800.252.1578 ext. 2.

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Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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