Program_Memos / 2003 / AB-03-030

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers understand which laboratory coverage edits and code-list maintenance changes were being incorporated into the Medicare processing environment for April 2003, and what policy areas were affected.

Article Sections

1. Program Memorandum and subject

   Administrative identification of the transmittal, issuing agencies, date, request number, and the general topic of laboratory NCD edit software updates.

2. Laboratory NCD edit software changes for April 1, 2003

   Overview of the release, the quarterly update process, and the categories of laboratory national coverage determination maintenance addressed in the memorandum.

3. Individual policy updates and code maintenance items

   Itemized discussion of several laboratory policy updates affecting diagnosis lists, procedure code lists, manual corrections, and previously identified software issues.

4. Provider education and implementation timing

   Instructions for provider communication, the effective and implementation dates, and related administrative timing notes.