SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #207: Medical Office Specimen Collection and CPT 99070 & 99072
Reimbursement for COVID-19 Specimen Collection

Reimbursement for COVID-19 Specimen Collection

Medical office providers can be reimbursed for COVID-19 specimen collection using CPT code 99211 (ESTABLISHED PATIENT OFFICE OR OTHER OUTPATIENT VISIT, TYPICALLY FIVE MINUTES) with modifier CR. CMS has approved the use of this code for new patients, as well as established patients, when used for specimen collection. Refer to SPECIAL BULLETIN COVID-19 #151: Laboratory Codes for COVID-19 Testing.

CPT 99070 (supplies and materials [except spectacles], provided by the physician or other qualified health care professional over and above those usually included with the office visit or other services rendered [list drugs, trays, supplies, or materials provided]) should not be reported with E/M and COVID-19 specimen collection codes. The reimbursement is included in the level of office visit E/M selected. 

CPT 99072 (additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time over and above those usually included in an office visit or other nonfacility service(s), when performed during a Public Health Emergency, as defined by law, due to respiratory-transmitted infectious disease) is a non-covered code.

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