Wiki Wellness Labs

[houmaob1714]

My doctors order 80050, 80061, 83721, 84436, & 84479 as routine wellness labs for our commercial insurance patient's. Most policies cover 1 annual wellness labs a year. Is it appropriate to bill these with Z00.00 even if the patient has been diagnosed with Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and/or Hypothyroid?

 

[mgrewal]

Some payers want a specific diagnosis related to the test ordered. If Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and Hypothyroid are documented in the patient's chart. It is a good idea to add those diagnosis to the claim to avoid a denial for the diagnosis. I work for a lab and have seen denials for a specific diagnosis for these Codes. UHC and Medicare will definitely want a specific diagnosis. Hope this helps.