Wiki Urine Testing

[celcano]

Prior to 2015, we were billing 80801 (or G0431, 82055, 82570 and 83986 for our urine drug/alcohol testing.

For 2015, I know 80801 and 82055 have been deleted. I know I can use 80301 (or G0431). However, can I still use 82570 and 83986 or are these now strictly "definitive" testing codes?

How are your practices handling these changes.

Tank you for your input.

 

[dwaldman]

82570 is for urine creatinine
83986 is for PH

The NCCI policy manual has been updated to exclude coverage for adulteration testing as seen in chapter 10

http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/NationalCorrectCodInitEd/index.html

E. Drug Testing Providers performing validity testing on urine specimens utilized for drug testing should not separately bill the validity testing. For example, if a laboratory performs a urinary pH, specific gravity, creatinine, nitrates, oxidants, or other tests to confirm that a urine specimen is not adulterated, this testing is not separately billed. The Internet-Only Manual, Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 16 (Laboratory Services), Section 10 (Background) indicates that a laboratory test is a covered benefit only if the test result is utilized for management of the beneficiary?s specific medical problem. Testing to confirm that a urine specimen is unadulterated is an internal control process that is not separately reportable.