Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: I'm billing 82270 to report peroxidase-activity fecal occult blood test. Is this correct?Arizona SubscriberAnswer: Yes. You should use 82270 (Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity [e.g., guaiac], qualitative; feces, consecutive collected specimens with single determination, for colorectal neoplasm screening [i.e., patient was provided 3 cards or single triple card for consecutive collection]) when your physician orders a FOBT, and the patient has no prior sign of colon cancer.Careful: Make sure the test is for three "consecutive collected specimens."In that past, you'd have to code G0394 (Blood occult test [e.g., guaiac], feces, for single determination for colorectal neoplasm [i.e., patient was provided three cards or single triple card for consecutive collection]) for Medicare patients. Don't forget that Medicare will cover a screening FOBT only when the patient takes home cards, obtains fecal samples, and returns the cards to the physician. Thus, don't expect Medicare to pay your screening test if the [...]