New Guidance for Coding HIV Screening
- By Renee Dustman
- In Billing
- June 13, 2017
- 3 Comments
Annual HIV screening is a reasonable and necessary preventive service, but claims reimbursement hinges on correct coding and a clear understanding of benefit limitations and requirements.
Coding HIV Screening
HIV screening furnished on or after April 13, 2015, on Medicare Part B claims processed on or after Oct. 2, 2017, are reported with the following HCPCS Level II codes:
| HCPCS Code | Descriptor |
| G0432 | Infectious agent antibody detection by enzyme Immune assay (EIA) technique, qualitative or Semi-quantitative, multiple-step method, HIV-1 or HIV-2, screening |
| G0433 | Infectious agent antibody detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, antibody, HIV-1 or HIV- 2, screening |
| G0435 | Infectious agent antibody detection by rapid antibody test of oral mucosa transudate, HIV-1 or HIV-2, screening. |
HIV screening HCPCS Level II codes G0475 HIV antigen/antibody, combination assay, screening, G0432, G0433, and G0435 must be submitted with the required HIV primary diagnosis code Z11.4 Encounter for screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
CPT 80081 Obstetric panel (includes HIV testing) must also be submitted with Z11.4 and one of the following secondary diagnosis codes denoting pregnancy:
- Z34.00, Z34.01, Z34.02, Z34.03, Z34.80, Z34.81, Z34.82, Z34.83, Z34,90, Z34.91, Z34.92, Z34.93, O09.90, O09.91, O09.92, O09.93
Claim Line Edits
A new consistency edit will deny claims with either the HIV HCPCS Level II codes G0475, G0432, G0433, G0435, or CPT code 80081 when submitted with one of the pregnancy secondary diagnosis codes, but the Sex Code on the claim indicates “Male.”
Another new consistency edit will deny any claims for HIV screening code G0475, G0432, G0433, or G0435, effective with dates of service on or after April 13, 2015, if the place of service (POS) is anything other than 11 (office) or 81 (independent lab).
Any claim other than Type of Bill 12X, 13X, 14X, 22X, 23X, and 85X for HIV screening codes G0475, G0432, G0433, and G0435 will also be denied.
Medicare administrative contractors will calculate the next date the patient is eligible for HIV screening. Screening is generally covered annually.
Source: MLN Matters Article MM9980, May 24, 2017
Renee Dustman
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So would you use the HIV screening code in the primary position when billing other services on the same claim? We often have a patient seen for an office visit and lab work. The patient was seen for another primary diagnosis (example, a wellness visit so would code z00.00 or an EM for a diagnosis of I10). How is the claim submitted so everything gets paid?
Thanks!
I always recommend confirming with the payer, but generally speaking, if someone comes in for a wellness visit and then agrees to HIV screening, code the wellness visit first, screening second.
If I am reading this correctly then ED, OBS and INPT screenings are not reimbursable?