Wiki Specimen Collection e.g throat culture

[loyalty]

Help coding the collection of a speciman other than a blood draw.
Is 99000 the appropriate code to use for the collections of a specimen for a culture that is set to out to a laboratory.

 

[KathyJohnson]

Yes, 99000 is the code you'd use. If you are billing for the laboratory procedure and not the lab then be sure to use the appropriate procedure code and modifier 90. Be forewarned though, sometimes insurance companies get stingy when covering 99000. Also, Medicare will not pay for 99000.