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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

How to Report Nitrazine Smear

Published on Thu Apr 09, 2009

Question: The ob-gyn performed a Nitrazine smear to check to see if a patient's amniotic fluid is leaking. How should I report this? Oregon Subscriber Answer: The code is 83986 (pH, body fluid, except blood). Some payers may also require modifier QW (CLIA waved test). To use this modifier, your physician must have a certificate of waiver under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Nitrizine measures the pH of vaginal fluid. If the paper turns blue, amniotic fluid is present.
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