NCICS Medical Coder/Biller
99000 is intended to be reported when the practice incurs costs to handle and/or transport a specimen to a lab. For example, if the practice employs a messenger service to transport a specimen, then you can bill 99000.
If the lab picks up the specimen at no cost to the practice it is not appropriate to report 99000.
99000 also cannot be reported for obtaining of a specimen. reimbursement for obtaining a specimen is factored in the visit/procedure code.
