New Specimen Collection Codes for Laboratories Billing for COVID-19 Testing
As of 7/15/20 this communication has been updated with changes in red.
As the COVID-19 response continues to evolve, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming (BCBSWY) is committed to supporting providers by ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.
To ensure that COVID-19 claims are properly processed, we ask you to follow these billing guidelines:
COVID-19 Specimen Collection:
To identify and reimburse specimen collection for COVID-19 testing, CMS established two Level II HCPCS codes, effective with line item date of service on or after March 1, 2020:
- G2023 – Specimen collection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), any specimen source
- G2024 – Specimen collection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), from an individual in a skilled nursing facility or by a laboratory on behalf of a home health agency, any specimen source
Please utilize these codes when collecting a specimen. Do not bill the COVID-19 test codes (U0001, U0002, or 87635) if you are only collecting the specimen and the lab is being rendered by a different facility.
BCBSWY COVID-19 Response
- NEW! BCBSWY is waiving all member cost sharing and copayments for inpatient hospital admissions due to the diagnosis of COVID-19 for all fully insured and FEP members and will be optional for self-funded plans.
Billing Clarification Effective 4/15/2020
- BCBSWY will reimburse in person office visits, urgent care, and other outpatient visits including lab, emergency department, and imaging for COVID-19 without member cost share when either a COVID-19 test is on the claim or a specimen collection for a COVID-19 test is on the claim. Previous guidance instructed that the following diagnosis codes would waive cost share: Z03.818, Z20.828, B97.29, B34.2, or U07.1. BCBSWY is no longer solely making this determination based on diagnosis codes. This applies to both institutional and professional billing.
- BCBSWY will waive any cost-sharing, including co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance for CDC- recommended laboratory testing of COVID-19 so that the cost-sharing does not serve as a barrier to access these important tests. In addition to related testing procedures (flu panel, respiratory panels, RSV)
- BCBSWY encourages providers to use in-network laboratories for COVID-19 testing to reduce any member abrasion. Please reach out to provider.relations@bcbswy.com if you have any questions about the laboratory you are planning to utilize.
- Effective March 10, BCBSWY is increasing access to prescriptions by allowing pharmacies to refill prescriptions earlier than typically allowed. In addition, most plans allow members to fill maintenance medications for up to a 90-day supply through local or mail-order pharmacies.
- To ensure members have the medications they need on hand, BCBSWY now allows pharmacies to waive “refill too soon” limits on prescriptions.
Stay Informed!
• Get email updates! Ask to be added to receive Provider Updates at provider.relations@bcbswy.com
For more information see: CDC COVID-19 or State of Wyoming COVID-19.