LDH Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Laboratory Policy Update

Date: 04/17/20

On behalf of Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana Healthcare Connections would like to inform providers about a recent policy changes for COVID-19 laboratory testing.  

Effective for dates of service on or after April 20, 2020, providers performing the commercial laboratory testing for COVID-19 antigen detection are to use the new CPT code 87635. Reimbursement will be the same as U0002. Providers will be required to use the new CPT code 87635 established for this purpose and the effective date of service. The HCPCS code U0002 should not be used for dates of service on or after April 20, 2020.

Louisiana Healthcare Connections will not reimburse both codes on the same date of service for the same member.

Providers can resubmit corrected claims if there is a date of service/procedure code conflict. Providers are encouraged to review Information Bulletin 20-5 (4.3.20 update) for additional information.