How To Use CPT Code 99000

CPT 99000 refers to the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a medical office to a laboratory. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 99000 procedures.

1. What is CPT 99000?

CPT 99000 is a code used to describe the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a medical office to a laboratory. This code is utilized when a medical professional prepares a specimen for lab analysis and/or transports it from the office to an outside testing laboratory. The procedure involves the preparation of a specimen, which may include centrifuging, separating fluid layers, labeling tubes, filling out requisition forms, and packaging the specimen for transport to the lab.

2. 99000 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 99000 is: “Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the office to a laboratory.”

3. Procedure

The 99000 procedure involves the following steps:

  1. Collection of the specimen from the patient
  2. Centrifuging the specimen, if necessary
  3. Separating fluid layers, if required
  4. Labeling tubes with patient information and test requirements
  5. Filling out requisition forms for the laboratory
  6. Packaging the specimen for transport to the lab
  7. Transporting the specimen to the outside testing laboratory

4. Qualifying circumstances

Medical professionals who are eligible to receive CPT code 99000 services include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other qualified healthcare providers who collect and prepare specimens for laboratory testing. The code can be used when the specimen is collected in the office and sent to an outside laboratory for analysis. It is not applicable when the specimen is collected and tested within the same facility.

5. When to use CPT code 99000

It is appropriate to bill the 99000 CPT code when a medical professional collects a specimen from a patient, prepares it for lab analysis, and transports it from the office to an outside testing laboratory. This code should not be used when the specimen is collected and tested within the same facility or when the specimen is sent directly from the patient to the laboratory without any handling or conveyance by the medical professional.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 99000, the following information should be documented:

  • Patient’s name and identification number
  • Date and time of specimen collection
  • Type of specimen collected
  • Specific tests ordered for the specimen
  • Details of the specimen preparation process, including centrifuging, separating fluid layers, and labeling tubes
  • Requisition forms completed for the laboratory
  • Packaging and transport details, including the name of the outside testing laboratory

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 99000, it is essential to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules. Some tips and codes that apply to CPT code 99000 include:

  • Ensure that the documentation requirements are met and properly recorded in the patient’s medical record
  • Bill CPT 99000 only when the specimen is collected in the office and sent to an outside laboratory for analysis
  • Do not bill CPT 99000 when the specimen is collected and tested within the same facility or when the specimen is sent directly from the patient to the laboratory without any handling or conveyance by the medical professional
  • Verify payer-specific guidelines and policies regarding the billing of CPT 99000, as some payers may have additional requirements or restrictions

8. Historical information

CPT 99000 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code was changed on January 1, 2013, with the previous descriptor being “Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the physician’s office to a laboratory.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 99000

Five similar codes to CPT 99000 and how they differentiate from CPT 99000 are:

  1. CPT 99001: This code is used for the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a patient in a skilled nursing facility to a laboratory.
  2. CPT 99002: This code is used for the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a patient in a home setting to a laboratory.
  3. CPT 99010: This code is used for the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a patient in an emergency department to a laboratory.
  4. CPT 99011: This code is used for the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a patient in an outpatient setting to a laboratory.
  5. CPT 99012: This code is used for the handling and conveyance of a specimen for transfer from a patient in an inpatient setting to a laboratory.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 99000 procedures:

  1. A physician collects a blood sample from a patient, centrifuges the sample, labels the tube, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a complete blood count (CBC) test.
  2. A nurse practitioner collects a urine sample from a patient, labels the container, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a urinalysis.
  3. A physician assistant collects a throat swab from a patient, places the swab in a transport medium, labels the tube, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a strep test.
  4. A medical professional collects a stool sample from a patient, places the sample in a container, labels the container, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a fecal occult blood test.
  5. A physician collects a sputum sample from a patient, places the sample in a container, labels the container, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a culture and sensitivity test.
  6. A nurse practitioner collects a skin scraping from a patient, places the sample on a slide, labels the slide, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a fungal culture.
  7. A physician assistant collects a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample from a patient, centrifuges the sample, labels the tubes, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for analysis.
  8. A medical professional collects a synovial fluid sample from a patient, centrifuges the sample, labels the tubes, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a cell count and differential test.
  9. A physician collects a semen sample from a patient, places the sample in a container, labels the container, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a semen analysis.
  10. A nurse practitioner collects a vaginal swab from a patient, places the swab in a transport medium, labels the tube, fills out the requisition form, and sends the specimen to an outside laboratory for a wet mount and culture test.

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