In this new series of articles, we will be bringing you news and updates from our billing department.  Many of you may have at some point communicated with Yulanda Outlaw, the Billing Manager for the University of Chicago Genetic Services.  Yulanda has been with UCGS for 12 years and plays an integral role in the group.  We understand the difficulties associated with healthcare reimbursement and one of Yulanda's goals is to help our clients navigate  our billing processes and procedures  with ease and clarity.

Subject: New Molecular Pathology CPT Codes

The American Medical Association (AMA) has issued new CPT codes for some genetic tests included in the molecular category that will replace the current method of “stacking” CPT codes. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that these codes will not be paid by CMS in 2012, instead they will continue to pay on current “stacking” codes. Most private insurance companies have not yet determined when they will transition and pay on the new CPT codes.

For this reason, the University of Chicago Genetics Services Laboratories will not be implementing the new molecular pathology CPT codes at this time. We will continue to monitor industry’s acceptance of the new CPT codes and will keep you informed about our transition at the appropriate time.