Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: We are a CLIA-waived lab. How do we keep abreast of changes to the list of tests that our lab can perform?

Mississippi Subscriber

Answer: CMS releases a quarterly update to the list of lab tests that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves for performance by labs with a certificate of waiver. These are tests that the FDA deems to have little risk associated with error due to the simplicity and non-critical nature of the analyses.

The most recent update is effective Oct. 1, and you-ll have a host of lab codes that you-ll be able to perform if your lab has a certificate of waiver.

According to Transmittal 1594, CMS will now consider 21 additional tests CLIA-waived. You-ll have to append modifier QW (CLIA-waived test) when you report these codes, which include the following, among others:

- 83520 -- Immunoassay, analyte, quantitative; not otherwise specified

- 87880 -- Infectious agent detection by immunoassay with direct optical observation; Streptococcus, group A

- 89300 -- Semen analysis; presence and/or motility of sperm including Huhner test (post coital).

Don't miss: You must put your CLIA number on the claim form.

To read the full list of newly-approved CLIA-waived tests, visit the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R1594CP.pdf.

To check on quarterly updates, mark this page on the CMS Web site: www.cms.hhs.gov/CLIA/. Once there, click on "Categorization of Tests" in the menu on the left of the page. That will take you to downloads of the most current list of CLIA waived tests.