Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: If our office performs a dipstick urinalysis and then finds something is abnormal, we typically send the specimen to an outside lab and the outside lab does a urinalysis with microscopy and then a culture and sensitivity. The outside lab charges for what they do, but can the office charge for our urinalysis?

Answer: Yes, you should charge for your urinalysis because it prompted the need for microscopy and culture. Both you and the lab should be able to collect separately for your services.

You can charge for the in-office dipstick urinalysis using the appropriate code, such as 81003 (Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent for bilirubin, glucose, hemoglobin, ketones, leukocytes, nitrite, pH, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen, any number of these constituents; automated, without microscopy). You’ll need to look at your dipstick methodology and package insert to select the proper code.

If you then prepare the specimen to send it to an outside lab for additional tests such as micro and culture, you can additionally charge 99000 (Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the office to a laboratory).