Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: Our lab doesn’t typically post the cash price for tests on our website, but I’ve heard we must do that if we offer tests for SARS CoV-2. Is that correct?

Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: Yes, it is true that if you can provide SARS CoV-2 testing for COVID-19, the cash price of the diagnostic test must be clearly posted online.

CMS reminds providers in a CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions set that price transparency on COVID-19 testing is required under the regulation with a start date of March 27 through the end of the public health emergency (PHE).

“Section 3202(b) of the CARES Act also requires providers of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 to make public the cash price of a COVID-19 diagnostic test on the provider’s public internet website,” CMS advises.

Plus, the CARES Act also gives the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) secretary the power to impose civil monetary penalties (CMPs) and require corrective action plans (CAPs) for non-compliant providers, the FAQs suggest. In addition, practitioners may receive a fine of up to $300 per day until the price transparency violation is corrected.

See the FAQs at www.cms.gov/files/document/FFCRA-Part-42-FAQs.pdf.