The AMA in CPT Assistant Feb. 1999 noted, 99000 -is intended to be reported when the physician incurs costs to handle and/or transport a specimen to the laboratory (e.g., via messenger service). If the specimen is picked up by laboratory staff at no additional cost to the physician, it would not be appropriate to report CPT code 99000.-
Don't miss: In CPT Assistant October 1999, the AMA did a 180, retracting the above opinion and clarifying 99000's use. While using 99000 for incurring a transport cost is certainly a correct statement, -many of our readers pointed out a second use of this code that is also correct, and reflects the most typical use. Code 99000 is also intended to reflect the work involved in the preparation of a specimen prior to sending it to the laboratory. Typical work involved in this preparation may include:
- centrifuging a specimen
- separating serum
- labeling tubes
- packing the specimens for transport
- filling out lab forms and
- supplying necessary insurance information and other documentation.-
Example: For a heel stick in the office, a physician should report 36416 (Collection of capillary blood specimen [e.g., finger, heel, ear stick]). -In addition, code 99000 should be reported when the physician's office centrifuges the specimen, separates the serum and labels, and packages the specimens for transport to the laboratory,- according to CPT's clarification comment.
Do Not Report 99000 to Medicare Carrier
Medicare considers 99000 a bundled service and makes no separate payment for it. Some commercial payers may pay for the service.
