Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Physician Note:

CMS Grants 'CLIA-Waived' Status to 11 Additional Lab Tests

Plus: Don't count on ICD-11 transition.

Part B practices will benefit from 11 additional tests now classified as "CLIA-waived," thanks to a July 20 CMS article on this topic.

According to MLN Matters article MM7868, CMS will consider the following tests CLIA-waived. You'll have to append modifier QW (CLIA-waived test) to these codes, which include the following, among others:

  • G0434--Wondfo Oxycodone urine test (Dip card format)
  • 87880--McKesson Strep A Test -- Dipstick
  • 86318--McKesson H. pylori Test (whole blood)
  • 87804--Sofia analyzer and influenza A+B FIA (for user with nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal swabs)
  • 85610--AlereINRatio2 PT/INR home monitoring system (prescription home use)
  • 83986--Dale Medical Products, Inc. RightLevel pH
  • G0434--Chemtron Biotech, Inc. Chemtrue single/multi-panel drug screen cassette tests

To read the complete CMS transmittal on the new CLIA-waived tests, visit the CMS Web site at www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM7868.pdf