AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS

 SERVICES PROVIDED BY HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT FACILITIES AND/OR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS: For any pathology and laboratory service(s) provided by a hospital outpatient facility and/or ambulatory surgical center, reimbursement for said service is to be limited to the maximum allowable payment contained within this section of the Fee Schedule. 

 MULTIPLE PROCEDURES: It is appropriate to designate multiple procedures that are rendered on the same day by separate entries. Use modifier -51 to reflect multiple procedures except for the Add-On Codes. 

ADD-ON CODES: Certain codes, by the nature of their description and the maximum fee assigned, have already been reduced, as they are not to be billed as primary procedures. For a complete list of the codes which are considered to be add-on codes, refer to the appropriate appendix found within the most recent publication of the AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). 

 REPORTS: No statement of charges for services or procedures included in this section shall be considered properly rendered unless it is accompanied by a report that includes both the findings and an interpretation of such findings. 

 PROCEDURES LISTED WITHOUT SPECIFIED MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE: "BR" in the Maximum Fee column indicates that the charge for this service is to be determined "by report" because the service is too unusual or variable to be assigned a Maximum Fee. Pertinent information should be furnished concerning the nature, extent, and need for the procedure or service, the time, skill, and equipment necessary, etc. 

 INDICES OR RATIOS: Tests which produce an index or ratio based on mathematical calculations from two or more other results may not be billed as separate independent tests (e.g., A/G ratio, free thyroxin index). 

 UNLISTED SERVICE OR PROCEDURE: When an unlisted service or procedure is performed, the procedure should be identified and the amount charged substantiated "by report" (BR). Unlisted service or procedure codes usually end in "99." 

 DENIAL OF PAYMENT: Payment may be denied for procedures or services determined to be excessive or unnecessary for the management of the work-related injury or disease. 

 MODIFIERS: Procedure codes for pathology and laboratory services may be modified under certain circumstances. The circumstances are to be identified by the addition of a hyphen and the appropriate two-digit modifier code. Refer to Appendix A - Modifiers for a list of modifiers that may be used. 

PATHOLOGY AND LABORATORY GROUND RULES

 SEROLOGY: All serological procedures must be performed by registered pathologists or laboratories. 

 MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: Supplies and material provided by the health care provider (e.g., sterile trays, drugs) over and above those usually included with the office visit or other services rendered may be listed separately. The statement of charges will need to list individually any drugs, trays, supplies, and materials that were provided. Payment shall not exceed the cost of the item(s) to the health care provider plus 25%, or the cost of the item(s) plus $15.00 per item, whichever is less. Use procedure code 99070. 

MAXIMUM FEES: The Maximum Fees specified herein apply to laboratories owned or operated by a health care provider, hospital laboratories, and commercial laboratories, but only when the services or procedures are performed by or under the responsible supervision of a health care provider. When a health care provider is hospital based and is not salaried or otherwise compensated for the services listed in this section, a separate bill can be rendered for the particular service. The charge is to be 60% of the Maximum Fee. 

The Maximum Fees specified herein include both the "professional" component and the "technical" component. Identification of a service or procedure by its five-digit code, without pertinent modifiers, indicates that the charge includes both the professional and technical components. Where the maximum fee is “0” for either the professional component or the technical component there is no designated payment allowed. 

The professional component includes the examination of the patient when indicated, performance or supervision of the procedure, interpretation and written report of the examination including procedure results (e.g., x-ray images), and consultation with the referring health care provider. To identify a charge for the professional component only, see Appendix A - Modifiers for modifier -26. Unless otherwise specified in the Schedule, the maximum allowable charge for the professional component is 60% of the listed Maximum Fee in the ATS@ column.