AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2020 Quarter 2; In this Issue
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) coding update
New HCPCS Level II and CPT codes have been created for the reporting of the COVID-19 diagnostic tests. The reporting of these codes is payer specific, therefore it may be necessary to confirm with individual payers to verify their specific reporting requirements. In addition, one CPT code has been revised and two new CPT codes have been created to report the detection of antibodies to the novel coronavirus. HCPCS Level II Lab Testing Codes New codes: HCPCS Level II Code Long Descriptor Effective Date U0001 CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel February 4, 2020 U0002...
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Article Overview
This article explains how COVID-19-related reporting changed with the introduction of new HCPCS Level II and CPT codes, a revised CPT code, and a new ICD-10-CM diagnosis code. It is aimed at coders, billing staff, laboratories, and other healthcare professionals who need a general understanding of the code-set updates, effective dates, and the fact that reporting may vary by payer and setting. The discussion also covers CMS and AMA guidance resources and the broad categories of diagnostic and specimen-collection services addressed by the update.
Why This Topic Matters
COVID-19 coding changed rapidly during the early public health response, and these updates affected laboratory billing, specimen collection reporting, diagnosis coding, and claims processing. Understanding the scope of the changes helps users identify which code sets and guidance sources are relevant to their setting.
Article Sections
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HCPCS Level II Lab Testing Codes
This section summarizes newly created HCPCS Level II reporting options related to COVID-19 laboratory testing and specimen collection. It also notes effective dates and the involvement of CMS guidance.
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CPT Coding
This section covers CPT updates associated with COVID-19 diagnostic testing and antibody-related reporting. It includes the broader context for how these CPT changes relate to laboratory testing workflows and payer requirements.
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Diagnosis coding
This section addresses the addition of a COVID-19 diagnosis code in ICD-10-CM and points to external coding guidance resources.
What You Will Learn
- Which medical code sets were updated for COVID-19 reporting
- How the article frames diagnostic testing versus specimen collection updates
- What general types of CPT changes were introduced for antibody-related reporting
- How payer-specific reporting considerations affect code selection
- Which organizations and guidance sources are referenced for the update
- What diagnosis coding change accompanied the testing code updates
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing specialists
- Laboratory professionals
- Revenue cycle staff
- Compliance teams
- Healthcare administrators
Codes Discussed
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