Can someone clarify for me if a pathology lab can bill for 99000? I am getting contradicting information online.
CAP says: Reprinted from December 2000 CAP TODAY Q: My practice is interested in using code 99000, Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the physician's office to a laboratory. What is the proper application of this code? A: Code 99000 can be used when the physician incurs costs for handling or transporting a specimen to the laboratory, or both. The American Medical Association has clarified that 99000 can be used to capture the work involved in preparing a specimen for transportation to the laboratory, or in transporting the specimen. Preparation for transportation is reported regardless of whether the specimen is delivered by the physician office or a courier (CPT Assistant, October 1999). Preparation may include specimen centrifugation, separating serum, labeling tubes and envelopes, packing the specimen before transport, completing laboratory forms, and supplying necessary insurance information and other documents. Medicare and most private insurers, however, do not recognize this code. Another group I talked with says they are getting paid for the services due to costs of supplies and courier charges. Nowhere does it specifically state that a pathologist can bill for the specimen handling. Anyone else billing with this code or have information to help us out! Thank you, LeAnn <>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<> LeAnn Lang Associates in Pathology Practice Administrator Phone: 715-847-0075 (ext 50259) ll...@aipathology.com <mailto:ll...@aipathology.com> _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet