decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2022 Issue 10 (October)
Proposed update: MACs team up on national urine drug test policy ‘that will shock some people’
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Article Overview
This article is for practices, compliance staff, and medical coders who work with urine drug testing coverage under Medicare. It summarizes a proposed multijurisdictional LCD effort, the general categories of policy changes being considered, the related companion billing and coding materials, and key dates for comment periods and contractor engagement. The focus is on how the policy could affect testing coverage, documentation, and administrative planning without substituting for the full proposed policy text.
Why This Topic Matters
Urine drug testing is a high-utilization service, and proposed MAC policy changes can affect coverage, billing, and practice workflows across multiple jurisdictions. Understanding the direction of the update helps organizations assess operational impact, monitor contractor activity, and prepare comments or internal compliance review.
Article Sections
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Proposed multijurisdictional urine drug testing policy
Introduces the planned collaborative coverage update for urine drug testing and notes the contractors involved. Summarizes the broader Medicare policy context and the reason the update is being discussed.
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MACs plan to cut 3 tests
Discusses the portion of the proposal addressing definitive urine drug testing services. Identifies the general scope of the coverage change and its relationship to the policy review process.
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Additional changes define, outline UDS
Reviews the other major elements included in the proposed LCD and companion article. Covers the general structure of definitions, test categories, panel guidance, coverage indications, and risk assessment tools.
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Watch your MAC, take advantage of comment period
Explains the importance of monitoring contractor communications and participating in the comment process. Includes the contractor-specific deadlines and references to related documents and resources.
What You Will Learn
- The overall purpose of the proposed Medicare urine drug testing policy update
- Which categories of urine drug testing guidance are included in the proposal
- How the companion billing and coding materials fit with the LCD process
- Why contractor comment periods and mailing lists matter for affected practices
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Compliance teams
- Laboratory billing staff
- Physician practices
- Healthcare administrators
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
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