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Provider Manual

Reference (Outside) Laboratory Billing Protocol

Last Updated on November 09, 2023

Referring laboratory is defined as the laboratory that refers a specimen to another laboratory for testing.

Reference laboratory is defined as the laboratory that receives a specimen from another laboratory and that performs one or more tests on such specimen.

In most situations, Security Health Plan expects that the Reference Lab bills for the service(s) if they are an affiliated lab. If the Reference Lab is unable to bill for the services or is a non-affiliated provider, then Security Health Plan will accept claims from the Referring Lab with a 90 modifier.

 Referring Laboratory Billing

  • Security Health Plan follows Medicare guidelines for billing referred laboratory services - https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/guidance/manuals/downloads/clm104c16.pdf 40.1.1 Claims Information and Claims Forms and Formats
    • If the referring laboratory is billing for the services (i.e. appending modifier 90) then the billing provider on claim must be an independent clinical laboratory.
    • A claim for a referred laboratory service(s) by any other provider/entity will be denied.
  • Bill the appropriate lab CPT code (8XXXX) with 90 modifier to indicate it was referred out.
  • Include the reference laboratory’s name, address, and ZIP Code in box 32 on the CMS1500 claim form to show where the service (test) was actually performed.
    • The NPI shall be reported in item 32a
  • The CLIA number of the reference laboratory shall be reported in item 23 on the CMS-1500 claim form.
  • Bill the specimen handling (CPT 99000 or 99001) and venipuncture (CPT 36415) when appropriate.
    • Only one handling fee (CPT 99000 or 99001) is allowed per member, per provider sending out, per lab, per date of service, regardless of the number of specimens sent to a specific lab.
      • Exception: If different handling or shipping types are needed to send more than one specimen to the same lab. More than one handling fee may be considered if supporting documentation is provided for review. In this instance bill each handling fee as a separate line item on the claim; do not quantity bill.
  • Labs billed with 90 modifier for Commercial members will be reimbursed per the Security Health Plan Outreach Lab Fee Schedule.

Reference Lab Billing

  • Bill the appropriate lab CPT code (8XXXX) with place of service 81.
  • Labs billed with place of service 81 for Commercial members will be reimbursed per the Security Health Plan Reference Lab fee schedule.