AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2020 Quarter 3; For Your Information
New Proprietary Laboratory Analysis (PLA) codes related to COVID-19 testing
PLA codes may be reported by the facility when the hospital uses a proprietary platform (i.e., Technology or Instrument) or specimens are sent to a specialized laboratory. CPT Code Long Descriptor Effective Date 0202U Infectious disease (bacterial or viral respiratory tract infection), pathogen-specific nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), 22 targets including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), qualitative RT-PCR, nasopharyngeal swab, each pathogen reported as detected or not detected May 20, 2020 0223U Infectious disease (bacterial or viral respiratory tract infection), pathogen-specific nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), 22 targets including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus...
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Article Overview
This article covers newly introduced Proprietary Laboratory Analysis (PLA) codes in the CPT code set that relate to COVID-19 testing. It is aimed at coding and billing professionals who need to track updates to laboratory testing identifiers, understand the scope of the new code additions, and note when each code became effective.
Why This Topic Matters
PLA code updates affect how facilities report specialized laboratory testing performed on proprietary platforms or sent to outside laboratories. Keeping current with these code additions helps organizations maintain accurate laboratory test reporting and coding workflows.
What You Will Learn
- Which new PLA/CPT laboratory codes are discussed in the update
- The general categories of COVID-19-related laboratory testing covered by the article
- The effective dates associated with each newly listed code
- How the article frames reporting considerations for facility-based laboratory testing
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Hospital billing staff
- Laboratory billing personnel
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Compliance teams
Codes Discussed
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