[Histonet] Re: Send out/consult billing charges

[Renko, Heather D.]

Richard,

The only CPT code that I would recommend is 99001 - Handling, conveyance or specimen for transfer from the patient in other than a physician's office to a laboratory (distance may be indicated). The problem with this code however is Medicare does not reimburse for this code. Third party payers tend to follow Medicare's lead in dealing with payment of these codes. The following is from a Medicare publication:

B = Payment for covered services are always bundled into payment for other services not specified. There will be no relative value units (RVU) or payment amounts for these codes, and no separate payment is ever made. When these services are covered, payment for them is subsumed by the payment for the services to which they are incident.

(Example: a telephone call from a hospital nurse regarding care of a patient.)

Under this statement is a list of CPT codes that they will not pay. CPT 99001 is in that list. In some cases in our lab, a patient comes in themselves and picks up slides, so of course there is no charge to the patient in these cases. I don't know how a lab could charge a patient directly for this service. So the bottom line is we absorb the cost of doing this.

I would agree with Dr. Raff's position on doing all via fed ex and having a standard flat fee for shipping costs.  I sure hope this helps some-Happy Friday!

Heather D. Renko, Histology Coordinator
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
5666 East State Street
Rockford, Illinois 61108
Direct: 815-395-5410
Heather.D.Renko <@t> osfhealthcare.org


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