As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, there were changes made to HCPCS codes for presumptive and definitive testing. These changes were introduced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CMS introduced new HCPCS codes to allow for billing and payment for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, including both presumptive and definitive testing. These codes were created to differentiate between the different types of tests and to ensure that providers were reimbursed appropriately.
Presumptive testing is a type of COVID-19 diagnostic testing that provides rapid results but may have a higher chance of false positives and false negatives. Definitive testing is a more accurate and reliable method of COVID-19 diagnostic testing that typically involves laboratory analysis.
The new HCPCS codes for COVID-19 diagnostic testing include:
- U0001: For CDC testing laboratories to test patients for SARS-CoV-2.
- U0002: For non-CDC laboratories to test patients for SARS-CoV-2.
- U0003: For use of any COVID-19 diagnostic test kit that uses high-throughput technologies, including those run on machines like Roche’s cobas 6800/8800 systems, Hologic’s Panther system, and Abbott’s m2000 system.
- U0004: For use of any COVID-19 diagnostic test kit that uses a technology that does not meet the high-throughput definition, such as point-of-care tests like Abbott’s ID NOW, Cepheid’s Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2, and Mesa Biotech’s Accula.
It’s important to note that these HCPCS codes are subject to change, and that these codes may have been updated or revised since my knowledge cutoff date. It’s also important to check with CMS or other reliable sources for the most up-to-date information on HCPCS codes for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.