RE: Specimen Handling

[Guest guest]

Sara, it is a non-covered charge; however, we treat it as a cost

of doing business.

Debbie Mast

Database Administrator/Financial Manager

Solid Organ Transplant/VAD Program

Stanford Hospital and Clinics

750 Welch Road, Suite 220

Palo Alto, CA 94304

Heart, Lung, Heart/Lung, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Intestinal

Transplant Programs

Trustee, TFCA

Phone: Fax:

www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org/stanfordmed

From:

TxFinancialCoordinators

[mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Danner, Sara

Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:12 AM

To: TxFinancialCoordinators

Subject: Specimen Handling

Is

it correct that Medicare doesn’t pay for specimen handling (CPT 99000)?

That

is my understanding; therefore, I denied a bill from a facility charging for

ONLY that code. They are calling back asking what to do in future since

this is for a patient going there to get monthly blood drawn for

PRA’s. Most bills I see for this situation will include a

venipuncture fee, but not a handling fee. Any advice before I call her

back?

Sara Danner | Transplant Financial Coordinator | Memorial Medical Center |

Springfield, IL

Phone: | Fax: |

E-mail: danner.sara@...

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This message (including any attachments) contains confidential

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[Guest guest]

So, do you pay that charge out of the OACC? Sara Danner | Transplant Financial Coordinator | Memorial Medical Center | Springfield, ILPhone: | Fax: | E-mail: danner.sara@... CHOOSE GREAT. CHOOSE MEMORIAL. From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Mast, DeborahSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 1:49 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Specimen Handling Sara, it is a non-covered charge; however, we treat it as a cost of doing business. Debbie MastDatabase Administrator/Financial ManagerSolid Organ Transplant/VAD ProgramStanford Hospital and Clinics750 Welch Road, Suite 220Palo Alto, CA 94304Heart, Lung, Heart/Lung, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Intestinal Transplant ProgramsTrustee, TFCAPhone: Fax: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org/stanfordmed From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Danner, SaraSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:12 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Specimen Handling Is it correct that Medicare doesn’t pay for specimen handling (CPT 99000)? That is my understanding; therefore, I denied a bill from a facility charging for ONLY that code. They are calling back asking what to do in future since this is for a patient going there to get monthly blood drawn for PRA’s. Most bills I see for this situation will include a venipuncture fee, but not a handling fee. Any advice before I call her back?Sara Danner | Transplant Financial Coordinator | Memorial Medical Center | Springfield, ILPhone: | Fax: | E-mail: danner.sara@... CHOOSE GREAT. CHOOSE MEMORIAL. This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message. Any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.

[Guest guest]

You mean out of your dept budget? Sara Danner | Transplant Financial Coordinator | Memorial Medical Center | Springfield, ILPhone: | Fax: | E-mail: danner.sara@... CHOOSE GREAT. CHOOSE MEMORIAL. From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Mast, DeborahSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 1:52 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Specimen Handling No, the program covers it. Debbie MastDatabase Administrator/Financial ManagerSolid Organ Transplant/VAD ProgramStanford Hospital and Clinics750 Welch Road, Suite 220Palo Alto, CA 94304Heart, Lung, Heart/Lung, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Intestinal Transplant ProgramsTrustee, TFCAPhone: Fax: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org/stanfordmed From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Danner, SaraSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:50 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Specimen Handling So, do you pay that charge out of the OACC? Sara Danner | Transplant Financial Coordinator | Memorial Medical Center | Springfield, ILPhone: | Fax: | E-mail: danner.sara@... CHOOSE GREAT. CHOOSE MEMORIAL. From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Mast, DeborahSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 1:49 PMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: RE: Specimen Handling Sara, it is a non-covered charge; however, we treat it as a cost of doing business. Debbie MastDatabase Administrator/Financial ManagerSolid Organ Transplant/VAD ProgramStanford Hospital and Clinics750 Welch Road, Suite 220Palo Alto, CA 94304Heart, Lung, Heart/Lung, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Intestinal Transplant ProgramsTrustee, TFCAPhone: Fax: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org/stanfordmed From: TxFinancialCoordinators [mailto:TxFinancialCoordinators ] On Behalf Of Danner, SaraSent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:12 AMTo: TxFinancialCoordinators Subject: Specimen Handling Is it correct that Medicare doesn’t pay for specimen handling (CPT 99000)? That is my understanding; therefore, I denied a bill from a facility charging for ONLY that code. They are calling back asking what to do in future since this is for a patient going there to get monthly blood drawn for PRA’s. Most bills I see for this situation will include a venipuncture fee, but not a handling fee. Any advice before I call her back?Sara Danner | Transplant Financial Coordinator | Memorial Medical Center | Springfield, ILPhone: | Fax: | E-mail: danner.sara@... CHOOSE GREAT. CHOOSE MEMORIAL. This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message. Any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.