Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: We are a CLIA waived lab. How can we find out if a specific test kit is something we're approved to use in our lab?New York SubscriberAnswer: You can find a complete online list of approved tests for waived labs under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes tests and makes available a quarterly update of any new tests approved for waived-status labs.CMS posts the CLIA waived list, which you can find at www.cms.gov/CLIA/10_Categorization_of_Tests.asp. Click on the link for "List of Waived Tests."Caution: Test manufacturers may provide information that their kit is CLIA-waived, but you should always check the authoritative FDA list to ensure that you have correct, up-to-date information.Don't forget: You'll have to append modifier QW (CLIA waived test) to codes for most CLIA-waived tests. Watch for whether CMS lists the code with QW on the waived-test list. If you don't [...]