Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Published on Fri Jul 24, 2009 PDF

Question: Our office is currently in the process of changing from Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) Waived to CLIA Moderately Complex. We have purchased equipment, hired lab techs, and will be performing most tests in our office (CBC, CMP, BMP, PSA, TSH, etc.). Do we still need to add modifier QW for CLIA waived tests?

Oklahoma Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you will still need to put modifier QW (CLIA waived test) on all the CLIA waived tests.

Take care: The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) categorizes different diagnostic tests as moderately complex or as waived. The two categories require different personnel, so be sure the correct coding is used for the appropriate techs.