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What Common Procedural Technology (CPT) codes should be used for COVID-19 testing?

Aetna is complying with the CMS coding guidelines for COVID-19 lab testing. CMS adopted two CPT codes, (U0001) and (U0002), for COVID-19 testing.   

• U0001 – 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel should be used when specimens are sent to the CDC and CDC-approved local/state health department laboratories.
• U0002 – 2019-nCoV Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19), any technique, multiple types or subtypes (includes all targets), non-CDC should be used when specimens are sent to commercial laboratories, e.g. Quest or LabCorp, and not to the CDC or CDC-approved local/state health department laboratories.  

For more information and future updates, visit the CMS website and its recently issued FAQs. CMS has not set pricing for COVID-19 testing, but they are expected to soon.  

What CPT, HCPCS, IDC-10 and other codes should I be aware of related to COVID-19? 

Reporting codes related to COVID-19 include:

ICD-10 Reporting Codes

• An emergency ICD-10 code has been created by WHO.
• Code U07.1, 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease, will be implemented into ICD-10-CM with the update effective October 1, 2020. Until then, providers must use available ICD-10 codes and guidance.

Exposure to COVID-19

• Z03.818 (Encounter for observation for suspected exposure to other biological agents ruled out). Used for cases where there is a concern about a possible exposure to COVID-19, but this is ruled out after evaluation.
• Z20.828 (Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases). Used for cases where there is an actual exposure to someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19.

Signs and Symptoms

• For patients presenting with any signs/symptoms (such as fever, etc.) and where a definitive diagnosis has not been established, assign the appropriate code(s) for each of the presenting signs and symptoms such as:

• • R05 (Cough)
  • R06.02 (Shortness of breath)
  • R50.9 (Fever, unspecified)

www.aetna.com/health-care-professionals/…