The following articles provide guidance and information on IDCD-10 coding and testing coverage:
CDC, WHO Issue COVID-19 Coding Guidance
The World Health Organization established ICD-10 emergency code “U07.1, 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease” for COVID-19 infections, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics released interim guidance and is adding a COVID-19 diagnosis code in the October ICD-10 update. The interim guidance lists codes for illnesses related to the coronavirus, including acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and lower respiratory infection. Read the full story in FierceHealthcare.
Medicare Coverage of Coronavirus Testing
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
On March 3, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare would cover COVID-19 testing. Physicians will need to wait until after Wednesday, April 1, to be able to submit a claim to Medicare for this test. The American Academy of Family Physicians is in touch with private insurers to determine whether they will cover this test.
On March 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that $25 million would be provided to states and local jurisdictions most at risk of the virus to cover lab equipment, supplies, staffing, shipping, infection control, and surge staffing. State and local jurisdictions will also get $10 million to start coronavirus surveillance.
For more information on COVID-19, visit the CDC, AAFP, and CMS websites.
Payer Group Says Coronavirus Tests will be Covered
Source: AAFP Smart Brief
America’s Health Insurance Plans said its members will cover physician orders for coronavirus testing, take steps to help ensure patients do not skip tests or treatment due to cost issues, and potentially waive co-pays. The group also is working to reduce network, referral and prior authorization requirements. For more information, read the articles in Politico and FierceHealthcare.