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Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Say Goodbye to G0394 and Still Get Your FOBT Test Payment

Published on Sat Apr 04, 2009

Don't be fooled: 1 fewer occult blood code actually makes coding clearer. If your gastroenterology practice has a lab, you're probably aware of the coding changes around fecal occult blood testing over the last few years. Now, Medicare and HCPCS have scratched another FOBT code -- G3094 - so it's a good time to review proper coding for colon-cancer screening and diagnostics. A guaiac-based FOBT finds hidden blood by placing a small sample of stool on a chemically treated card, pad, or cloth wipe. Then a chemical solution is put on top of the sample. If the card, pad, or cloth turns blue (which demonstrates peroxidase activity),there is blood in the sample. That doesn't necessarily mean the patient has colon cancer, but it does mean that the patient needs further examination. Stop Using G0394 After three years of confusion about how to code screening versus diagnostic FOBTs, CMS removes questions by erasing [...]
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