Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Find Out How Waived Status Can Affect Your Bottom Line
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Want to bill urinalysis? Read this first Tests With CLIA-Waived Status - 81002--Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent for bilirubin, glucose, hemoglobin, ketones, leukocytes, nitrate, pH, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen, any number of these constituents; non- automated, without microscopy
Without Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived status, your practice is forbidden from performing many basic lab tests that could net some added reimbursement.
Definition: CLIA-waived means that the physician is certified to conduct simple lab services in-house, says Sean M. Weiss, senior partner at The CMC Group in Atlanta. -If a provider's office does not have a CLIA certification or other lab certification, they are not able to provide the [waived] service or bill for it,- Weiss says.
Interested? Practices that are interested in applying for a CLIA waiver can download the application form at www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms116.pdf.
Below are some examples of services that physicians with CLIA-waived status can provide.
- 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)
- 84830--Ovulation tests, by visual color comparison methods for human luteinizing hormone
- 81025--Urine pregnancy test, by visual color comparison methods
- 85651--Sedimentation rate, erythrocyte; non- automated
- 83026--Hemoglobin; by copper sulfate method, non-automated
- 82962--Glucose, blood by glucose monitoring device(s) cleared by the FDA specifically for home use
- 85013--Blood count; spun microhematocrit.
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