Common coding challenges: CMS issues new edits for drug tests, nerve blocks

Why This Topic Matters

These edit changes can affect claim bundling, coverage policy awareness, and whether separate reporting is possible for certain diagnostic and procedural services. Practices that bill urine drug tests or pain management procedures need to understand the scope of the updates and watch for related MAC policy changes.

Article Sections

1. Drug testing edits and Medicare coverage activity

   This section discusses CMS procedure-to-procedure edit updates affecting urine drug testing and summarizes related Medicare administrative contractor coverage activity. It places the changes in the context of proposed local coverage determinations and comment-period updates.

2. Nerve block edit updates

   This section covers upcoming National Correct Coding Initiative procedure-to-procedure edit changes involving diagnostic ultrasound and several pain management procedures. It also notes the general modifier indicator change mentioned in the article.