Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: I-m a coder for a multispecialty clinic that performs fecal-occult blood tests (FOBT). Am I supposed to use 82270 or G0107 for this service?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: The answer depends on your date of service. If you performed FOBT for a patient before Jan. 1, you should still report G0107 (Colorectal cancer screening; fecal-occult blood test, 1-3 simultaneous determinations). 
 
For service dates on or after Jan. 1, use 82270 (Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity [e.g., guaiac], qualitative; feces, consecutive collected specimens with single determination, for colorectal neoplasm screening [i.e., patient was provided three cards or single triple card for consecutive collection]).

Last April, CMS announced that Medicare carriers would no longer accept 82270 for FOBT services. Medicare payers would only accept G0107 for this service.

An MLN Matters article, MM5292, effective Jan. 1, 2007, states, -HCPCS code G0107 will be retired at the next annual release of the clinical diagnostic laboratory fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2007, and replaced with current procedural terminology (CPT) code 82270.- You can find the article at www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5292.pdf.