Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Question: The 2006 CPT manual lists 82272. Why can I not find this code on the 2006 physician fee schedule?


Iowa Subscriber

Answer: Medicare does allow payment for 82272 (Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity [e.g., guaiac], qualitative, feces, single specimen [e.g., from digital rectal exam]). You will not find these codes listed on the National Physician Fee Schedule (NPFS) because Medicare pays the code on the Clinical Lab Fee Schedule (CLFS).

The national allowance for 82272 is $4.54. You can download the fee schedule at www.cms.hhs.gov/ClinicalLabFeeSched/02_clinlab.asp#TopOfPage.