Advanced Search

Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Urine Collection

Published on Mon Jan 01, 2001

Question: How do we code urine collection for drug screens?

New York Subscriber

Answer: Use 99000 (handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the physicians office to a laboratory) if the physician incurs the costs to handle and/or transport a specimen to the laboratory. This code is not be appropriate if a courier from the lab is picking up the specimen. In this instance, it is included in the evaluation and management (E/M) code. Medicare always considers this service bundled into the evaluation and management code. CPTs definition varies from Medicare, however, in that they see it as an adjunct code, meaning it can be billed separately from the E/M code.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Primary Care Coding Alert

View All