On May 1, 2022, we noted some updates and delays regarding the MolDx pathogen testing policy - here.
Now MolDx has issued more updates to the MolDx pathogen testing "billing article," or A58710. These are the "R2" or second round of revisions, and will be effective May 17.
Find the updated A58710 here:
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=58710&ver=19
The revision notice is 535 words long. The billing article being amended is about 11,500 words long (including tables of IC10 codes). For comparison, the US Constitution is 4400 words long.
I've put a cloud copy of the newest May 17 version (R2) over the original version (which I'm calling R0) - here.
Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 6: Codes deleted 0151U. Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 7: Codes deleted 0097U. This revision is due to the Q2 CPT/HCPCS Code Update and is effective for dates of service on or after 4/1/2022.
Under Article Text revised first and second bullet verbiage to add “or PLA” and deleted third and fourth bullet verbiage. Revised fifth bullet verbiage to add, “and a TA.” Deleted the sixth and seventh bullet verbiage. Added two new bullet verbiages, “Tests that are FDA-approved/cleared and performed in ways consistent with their intended-use labeling directions do not require a Z-code when billed with an appropriate accompanying ICD-10 code. However, the performance of multiple (>1) FDA-approved/cleared molecular Infectious Disease pathogen identification tests on the same date of service (DOS) for the same intended use on the same patient sample is considered as one distinct service. As such, it would require the use of CPT® code 87999. Tests using CPT® code 87999 will require a Z-code and a TA.” And “Add modifier 59 for different species or strains reported by the same code, as allowed by the policy.” Revised Additional Information nineth bullet verbiage to “Places of service (POS) 19, 21, 22, 23 OR” and “(for healthcare POS other than the POS listed in 1 (a).” Under CPT/HCPCS Group 1: Paragraph deleted second sentence. Under CPT/HCPCS Codes Group 1: Codes added 87801. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 2: Paragraph deleted second sentence. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 3: Paragraph deleted second sentence. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 4: Paragraph deleted second sentence. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 5: Paragraph deleted second sentence. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 5: Codes deleted 87623, 87624, and 87625. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 6: Paragraph deleted third sentence. Revised fourth sentence to add “POS 19, 21, 22, 23” and “(for healthcare POS other than those listed in (a).” Under CPT/HCPCS Group 6: Codes added 87801. Under CPT/HCPCS Group 7: Paragraph deleted third sentence. Revised fourth sentence to add “POS 19, 21, 22, 23” and “(for healthcare POS other than those listed in (a).” Under CPT/HCPCS Group 8: Paragraph added verbiage, “Conditionally Non-covered CPT codes: The following CPT codes are NOT covered for a given beneficiary on the same DOS when >1 is billed in combination with another CPT or PLA code from Groups 1-7 for the same intended use. Additionally, the following CPT codes are NOT covered for a given beneficiary on the same DOS when >2 are billed for the same intended use.” Under CPT/HCPCS Group 8: Codes added U0001, U0002, U0003, U0004, U0005, 87471, 87472, 87475, 87476, 87480, 87481, 87482, 87485, 87486, 87487, 87490, 87491, 87492, 87493, 87495, 87496, 87497, 87498, 87501, 87502, 87503, 87510, 87511, 87512, 87516, 87517, 87520, 87521, 87522, 87525, 87526, 87527, 87528, 87529, 87530, 87531, 87532, 87533, 87534, 87535, 87536, 87537, 87538, 87539, 87540, 87541, 87542, 87550, 87551, 87552, 87555, 87556, 87557, 87560, 87561, 87562, 87563, 87580, 87581, 87582, 87590, 87591, 87592, 87623, 87624, 87625, 87634, 87635, 87640, 87641, 87650, 87651, 87652, 87653, 87660, 87661, 87662, 87797, 87798, and 87799. Under CPT/HCPCS Modifiers Group 8: Codes added 59. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 3: Codes added B60.2. Under ICD-10 Codes that Support Medical Necessity Group 5: Codes added N76.89, N77.1, and N89.8. This revision is effective 5/17/2022.
