COVID-19 testing clinical policy updates, effective 2/21/2022

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What changed?

Effective for claims with dates of service on and after February 21, 2022, HCA updated the COVID-19 testing clinical policy as follows:

  • Added information on modifier QW.

    • Providers may use this modifier to indicate a diagnostic laboratory service is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-waived test and that they have a Certificate of Waiver.

    • Providers may include the QW modifier when appropriate.

  • Added CPT® code 87913 to the PCR Tests table.

  • Added that COVID-19 antibody tests do not need to be performed by a CLIA-certified laboratory if the test is designated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a CLIA-waived test.