CPT codes

Hi Kim,
If you are working POCT through the clinical lab, can't you get help from those who are involved in billing for lab tests?

I used to have great access to coders I knew by sight and name, but over time, currently do not (my contacts no longer work at my company - left/retired/(tragically) passed away during the pandemic. 

#1 I rely on my manufacturer/rep to supply the CPT and then internet search to see if I find matches. I've had no problems with that approach but try different searches to be sure it's consistent.
#2 If I had to find someone within my company (a coder) then I'd reach out to an ambulatory Practice Manager to give me a coder's name who works up the ambulatory billing. 

Peggy--those are the people asking me the questions!!  I have the hospital side just fine--all is interfaced and going through Sunquest. It's the ambulatory labs coming to us now with questions. It's hard because I don't know the practices and what they have, CPT's can vary depending on instrument and method. I normally do just ask my vendor the CPT but I don't even know which they are using.

Here is the link to CMS's Clinical Lab Fee Schedule Files. The file is updated quarterly.
 
 https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/clinical-laboratory-fee-schedule-clfs/files    CLFS Files | CMS

You'll have to click though a couple of additional web pages and accept a license for use. 

After accepting, you'll get access to a zip file contain 4 file types with the same information in each file. I only use the Excel file so I can search easily.

QW is the modifier for CLIA waived.

I'd post the files, but I don't think the license for use allows for internet posting. (Everyday goal, don't end up on the news and don't go to jail.)

Kim,
Well that is distressing. 

I'm not blaming the Practice Managers but I'm saying they have to be working at some point with 'billing' and 'reimbursements' so I can't understand their lack of contact with coders who work up their MD's charts.

I take it the CLIAs (CoW)s for the waived testing have 'CLIA LDs' which are medical docs who work in those clinics? and the testing in ambulatory is not standard to inpatient services otherwise you'd know device/kits/manufacturers.

I get asked questions frequently that are not in my window of expertice by a long shot (I figure Practice Manager uses a shot gun approach trying to hit just one who is willing to take up the burden he/she wants to dump off). Maybe that is the approach whomever is asking you is taking because you normally 'figure out anything' they bring to you. In this case, what stake do you have in this if you go back and say 'list the test, the manufacturer, the model and how you are using it for clinical purposes' or I cannot help you.
Worth a try to get the info which makes your hunt legit?