Summary & Overview
HCPCS G2023: Specimen Collection for SARS-CoV-2 (Any Source)
HCPCS Level II code G2023 denotes specimen collection for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from any specimen source. This code standardizes reporting for the procedural act of obtaining samples used in COVID-19 diagnostic testing, separating collection from laboratory analysis. Nationally, accurate use of G2023 matters for claims consistency, tracking testing utilization, and delineating clinical services from testing laboratory services.
Key payers in coverage considerations include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of where and how this service is typically provided, payer coverage context, and the administrative elements relevant to billing. The publication also outlines common modifiers and related billing considerations, benchmarks where available, and clinical context around specimen collection protocols.
This guide is intended for billing managers, compliance officers, and clinicians involved in test-site operations or ambulatory care. It summarizes the purpose of G2023, the typical sites of service for specimen collection, and what national payers commonly consider when covering specimen collection separate from laboratory testing. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code G2023 describes specimen collection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), any specimen source. This service encompasses the act of obtaining a specimen from a patient for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing.
Service type: Specimen collection for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Typical site of service: Testing sites, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, community collection points, and other ambulatory settings where specimen collection for COVID-19 testing is performed.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric individual presenting for SARS-CoV-2 testing due to symptoms (fever, cough, dyspnea, sore throat, anosmia), known exposure, pre-procedure screening, or public health surveillance. The patient registers at an outpatient clinic, urgent care, drive-through testing site, emergency department, or long-term care facility. Clinical workflow: triage verifies indication for testing and collects demographic and insurance information; a trained clinician or certified medical assistant obtains the specimen using the appropriate technique (nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, oropharyngeal swab, saliva, or other approved specimen source); the specimen is labeled, placed in transport medium, and sent to the laboratory with the required documentation; results are reported to the ordering clinician and public health authorities per local requirements. Specimen collection is captured and billed with G2023 as the HCPCS Level II code for the act of specimen collection for SARS-CoV-2 from any specimen source. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, emergency departments, drive-through testing sites, and skilled nursing facilities.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the physician's interpretation or professional component associated with a related lab service (if applicable). |