After‑Hours, Allergy Testing and Serum Preparation, and E&M Reimbursement
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Governs MVP Health Care reimbursement rules for after-hours service codes, allergy testing and serum preparation units, and Evaluation & Management (E&M) medical necessity and documentation; affects providers submitting claims to MVP.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Coverage Criteria — After-hours, Allergy Testing, and E&M
inv-01: Coverage criteria for after-hours, allergy testing, and E&M
Covered when billed with an appropriate E&M and when unit or documentation limits are met:
ALL of the following
- First year: up to 40 units per claim and 160 units per calendar year.
- Subsequent years: up to 30 units per claim and 120 units per calendar year.
- Specific CPT test limits (examples): 95004 limited to 80 units per calendar year; 95024 and 95027 limited to 40 units per calendar year; 95028 limited to 30 units per calendar year.
inv-02: E&M coverage and bundling rules
Rules governing reimbursement, bundling, and modifier usage for E&M services and associated procedures:
inv-03: Coverage Criteria — key coverage positions from the excerpt
Key coverage positions and operational criteria from the policy excerpt:
inv-04: Split billing coverage parameters
Conditions under which split billing is allowed and operational billing parameters:
inv-05: Audiology coverage and billing rules
Audiology coverage definitions and billing restrictions:
inv-06: Audio-only and Audiology Billing/Coverage Criteria
Audio-only service and audiology billing specifics, plus Vermont audio-only behavioral health rules:
inv-07: Vermont Non-Licensed Behavioral Health Provider Billing Criteria
Billing requirements for supervised billing by non-licensed behavioral health practitioners in Vermont:
inv-08: Contrast Materials Reimbursement Criteria
Contrast material reimbursement positions:
inv-09: COVID-19 testing coverage criteria
COVID-19 testing coverage and limitations:
inv-10: Default Pricing rules
Default Pricing methodology when no contractual or assigned rate exists:
inv-11: Coverage criteria for nutritional counseling and DSME
Coverage criteria for nutritional counseling and diabetes self-management education (DSME):
inv-12: ICD-10 codes relevant to nutritional counseling
ICD-10 codes listed in the policy appendix that indicate diagnoses associated with nutritional counseling eligibility (partial listing shown in policy):
inv-13: Nutritional counseling exclusions and diabetic management coverage
Exclusions and conditions for nutritional counseling and diabetic management coverage:
inv-14: Reimbursement guidance (note)
Operational reimbursement reminder:
inv-15: Diagnosis matching requirement
Diagnosis matching and medical-necessity submission requirements:
inv-16: Prior authorization and eligibility
Prior authorization and eligibility verification requirements:
inv-17: Coverage with medical-necessity diagnosis requirements
Coverage contingent on appropriate medical-necessity diagnoses for specified laboratory and procedure codes:
inv-18: Diagnostic indications (ICD-10 list) — ESR testing
ICD-10 diagnoses listed as relevant indications for ESR testing (partial listing):
Coding — Procedure and Diagnosis Codes
| 99050 | Office services outside regularly scheduled hours; must be billed with an E&M; not reimbursable when submitted with preventive visit codes |
| 99051 | Regularly scheduled evening/weekend/holiday office hours; must be billed with E&M; considered inclusive to the E&M; not separately reimbursed for Commercial and Medicare (Medicaid/HARP reimbursed at Medicaid rate) |
| 99053 | Services between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am at 24-hour facility; must be billed with E&M and considered inclusive |
| 99056 | Office services provided out of office at patient request; must be billed with E&M and considered inclusive |
| 99058 | Emergency basis in office disrupting scheduled services; must be billed with E&M and considered inclusive |
| 99060 | Emergency services provided out of the office disrupting scheduled services; must be billed with E&M and considered inclusive |
| 95165 | Supervision of preparation and provision of antigens for allergen immunotherapy |
| 95004 | Allergy testing — number of tests must be specified; limited to 80 units per calendar year |
| 95024 | Allergenic extract immediate type reaction test and interpretation; number of tests must be specified; limited to 40 units per calendar year |
| 95027 | Allergy test — number of tests must be specified; limited to 40 units per calendar year |
| 99202-99215 | Office/Clinic/Outpatient E&M services (sick and preventive interactions referenced across rules) |
| 99381-99387, 99391-99397 | Preventive Medicine E&M visits — reimbursed but many procedures not separately reimbursed when performed same day |
| G0102 | Manual rectal neoplasm screening — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M 99202-99215 |
| 36415 | Venipuncture — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M when performed in office unless modifier CG and external lab |
| 36416 | Capillary blood collection — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M |
| 99000 | Lab specimen handling — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M |
| 99001 | Lab specimen handling — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M |
| Q0091 | Pap smear collection — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M |
| 92567 | Tympanometry — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M |
| 94760, 94761 | Pulse oximetry — not reimbursed separately same day as E&M |
| 99201-99215 | Prenatal E&M visit; first prenatal visit is global to OB delivery charges |
| 59425 | Antepartum Care (visits 4-6) |
| 59426 | Antepartum Care (7+ visits) |
| 59400, 59410, 59510, 59515, 59610, 59614, 59618, 59620, 59812, 59820, 59821, 59830, 59840, 59841, 59850, 59851, 59852, 59855, 59856, 59857 | Obstetric and antepartum care; first prenatal visit global to OB delivery |
| 99201-99499 | Evaluation & Management codes including inpatient and urgent care |
| 99241-99245; 99251-99255 | Consultation codes — MVP follows CMS guidance and does not reimburse consultation CPT codes |
| 99221-99223 | Initial hospital visit; rules for AI modifier and one visit per provider per day |
| 99211-99215 | Office/outpatient E&M for established patients |
| 99304-99306; 99307-99310 | Skilled Nursing Facility initial and follow-up visits |
| 99291 | Critical care management code — reimbursed when time spent is 30-74 minutes (minimum 30 minutes) |
| 99292 | Add-on critical care time code — units added per specified additional minute ranges (e.g., 75-104: +1, 105-134: +2, etc.) |
| various arthroscopy and endoscopy CPT families | Arthroscopic, endoscopic, and non-GI scope procedures; when multiple procedures in same family performed same day highest RVU reimbursed and additional procedures follow Medicare multiple-procedure reduction methodology |
| 99201-99499 | Evaluation & Management CPT codes — audiologists may not bill these codes |
| 69209, 69210 | Cerumen removal codes — audiologists may not bill; cerumen removal included in diagnostic test RVUs |
| G0268 | Physician removal of impacted cerumen on same day as diagnostic test |
| 92620, 92621, 92626, 92627, 92640 | Audiology codes with time designations — timed code billed only if testing is ≥51% of designated time |
| 92620 | Evaluation of central auditory function, with report; initial 60 minutes |
| 92621 | Evaluation of central auditory function, with report; each additional 15 minutes |
| 92626 | Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation status; first hour |
| 92627 | Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation status; each additional 15 minutes |
| 92640 | Diagnostic analysis with programming of auditory brainstem implant, per hour |
| 99441 | Telephone E/M service; 5-10 minutes of medical discussion |
| 99442 | Telephone E/M service; 11-20 minutes of medical discussion |
| 99443 | Telephone E/M service; 21-30 minutes of medical discussion |
| A9579 | Injection, gadolinium-based MR contrast agent, per ml |
| Q9951 | Low osmolar contrast material, 400+ mg/ml iodine, per ml |
| Q9965 | Low osmolar contrast material, 100-199 mg/ml iodine, per ml |
| Q9966 | Low osmolar contrast material, 200-299 mg/ml iodine, per ml |
| Q9967 | Low osmolar contrast material, 300-399 mg/ml iodine, per ml |
| Q9958 | High osmolar contrast material, up to 149 mg/ml iodine, per ml |
| HO | Modifier for Master's level non-licensed practitioner supervised billing (Vermont) |
| HP | Modifier for Doctorate level non-licensed practitioner supervised billing (Vermont) |
| Z02.0 | Encounter for examination for admission to educational institution (denied when submitted for COVID-19 testing) |
| Z02.1 | Encounter for administrative examinations (denied when submitted for COVID-19 testing) |
| Z02.4 | Encounter for administrative examinations (denied when submitted for COVID-19 testing) |
| Z02.5 | Encounter for examination for participation in sport (denied when submitted for COVID-19 testing) |
| Z02.79 | Encounter for issue of other medical certificate (denied when submitted for COVID-19 testing) |
| Z02.89 | Encounter for other administrative examinations (denied when submitted for COVID-19 testing) |
| Z02.9 | Encounter for administrative examinations, unspecified (example denied diagnoses) |
| Z56.89 | Other problems related to employment (example denied diagnoses) |
| Z56.9 | Unspecified problems related to employment (example denied diagnoses) |
| Z03.818 | Encounter for observation for suspected exposure to other biological agents ruled out (example inappropriate) |
| 97802 | Medical nutritional therapy; initial assessment and intervention, individual, each 15 minutes |
| 97803 | Medical nutritional therapy; reassessment and subsequent intervention, individual, each 15 minutes |
| 97804 | Medical nutritional therapy; group (2 or more individuals), each 30 minutes |
| G0270 | Nutrition counseling for the management of diabetes mellitus, each 15 minutes (Medicare-specific) |
| G0271 | Medical nutrition therapy; reassessment and subsequent intervention (Medicare-specific) |
| E10.* | Type 1 diabetes mellitus codes including retinopathy, neuropathy, and other complications |
| E11.* | Type 2 diabetes mellitus codes including retinopathy, neuropathy, and other complications |
| E09.* | Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus codes including retinopathy and complications |
| E13.* | Other specified diabetes mellitus codes including retinopathy and complications |
| G0108 | Diabetes outpatient self-management training services, individual, per 30 minutes |
| G0109 | Diabetes outpatient self-management training services, group session (2 or more), per 30 minutes |
| E08-E13, E09, etc. | Numerous ICD-10-CM codes for diabetes with specified complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, gestational diabetes, etc.) listed as relevant to nutritional counseling/diabetic management |
| E09.3592 | Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with proliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema, left eye |
| E09.3593 | Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with proliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema, bilateral |
| E09.36 | Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with diabetic cataract |
| E10.21 | Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy |
| E11.21 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy |
| E13.3211 | Other specified diabetes mellitus with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, right eye |
| O24.011 | Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, first trimester |
| O24.414 | Gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, insulin controlled |
| 93303-93352, 93306-93308, 93308, 93350-93352 | Transthoracic echocardiography procedure codes grouped with CMS document references and diagnosis matching rules |
| 64490-64495, 64625, 64633-64636 | Facet joint injections, medical branch blocks, and radiofrequency neurotomy codes with diagnosis matching requirements |
| 51785, 92265, 95860-95874, 95885-95887, 95905-95913, 95933, G0255, 95937 | Nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and neuromuscular junction testing with diagnosis matching rules |
| 92081-92083 | Visual field examination codes requiring appropriate diagnosis per LCD |
| 82306 | Vitamin D 25 hydroxy assay (Vitamin D) with LCD requirements |
| 82652 | Vitamin D 1.25 hydroxy assay with LCD requirements |
| 85652 | Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (automated) with ASCP guidance |
| 82746 | Folic acid serum assay — correct diagnosis required per ASCP guidance |
| 82607 | Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) — correct diagnosis required per Novitas LCD |
| 86695-86696 | Herpes Simplex Virus antibody tests requiring appropriate diagnosis per USPSTF/AAFP |
| 82785, 86003, 86008 | IgE and allergen specific testing with AAAAI guidance |
| 82746 | Assay of Folic Acid Serum |
| 82607 | Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) |
| 83001 | Gonadotropin Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) |
| 84443 | Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) |
| 84436 | Thyroxine; total |
| 84439 | Free thyroxine |
| 84479 | Thyroid hormone uptake (T4 uptake/THBR) |
| 84481 | Assay of Triiodothyronine Free |
| TT3 | T3 Total (assay) |
| E663 | Overweight |
| E669 | Obesity, unspecified |
| I4891 | Unspecified atrial fibrillation |
| I10 | Essential (primary) hypertension |
| Z135 | Encounter for screening for eye and ear disorders |
| R509 | Fever, unspecified |
| B009 | Herpesviral infection, unspecified |
| A609 | Anogenital herpesviral infection, unspecified |
| J309 | Allergic rhinitis, unspecified |
| J441 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation |
| L209 | Atopic dermatitis, unspecified |
| T7800XA | Anaphylactic reaction due to unspecified food, initial encounter |
| C169 | Malignant neoplasm of stomach, unspecified |
| C3411 | Malignant neoplasm of upper lobe, right bronchus, or lung |
| C61 | Malignant neoplasm of prostate |
| C8207 | Follicular lymphoma grade I, spleen |
| C549 | Malignant neoplasm of corpus uteri, unspecified |
| C562 | Malignant neoplasm of left ovary |
| C574 | Malignant neoplasm of uterine adnexa, unspecified |
| C9000 | Multiple myeloma not having achieved remission |
| D631 | Anemia in chronic kidney disease |
| D692 | Other nonthrombocytopenic purpura |
| E1121 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy |
| E11621 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer |
| G35 | Multiple sclerosis |
| G43A0 | Cyclical vomiting, in migraine, not intractable |
| G9201 | Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, grade 1 |
| H15013 | Anterior scleritis, bilateral |
| H348130 | Central retinal vein occlusion, bilateral, with macular edema |
| H353221 | Exudative age-related macular degeneration, left eye, with active choroidal neovascularization |
Provider Actions — Authorization, Documentation, and Billing
Verify eligibility and check Utilization Management Guides
Providers must check member eligibility, review the Member Benefits Display, and consult MVP's Utilization Management Guides (and Benefit Interpretation Manual) to determine whether prior authorization is required; these resources are available by signing into your account at mvphealthcare.com. MVP payment policies are not guarantees of payment.
Confirm eligibility and prior authorization requirements
Providers must confirm member eligibility, refer to the Member Benefits Display, and review MVP's Utilization Management Guides to determine if prior authorization is required; access the referenced resources via your provider account at mvphealthcare.com. MVP payment policies do not guarantee payment.
Respond to periodic medical record requests
MVP may periodically request medical records to verify that documentation supports billed services and the medical necessity of E&M claims; providers should retain and produce records when requested.
Prior authorization and eligibility check (verify before service)
Providers must check member eligibility, the Member Benefits Display, and MVP's Utilization Management Guides to determine whether prior authorization is required; these resources are available via your account at mvphealthcare.com and policies do not guarantee payment.
Verify eligibility and review UM Guides before billing
Verify member eligibility and consult the Member Benefits Display and MVP's Utilization Management Guides (and Benefit Interpretation Manual) to determine prior authorization requirements before providing services; resources accessible by signing into mvphealthcare.com.
Obtain authorization for In-Office Only codes for split billing
Procedure codes listed on MVP's In-Office Only list will not be reimbursed under split billing arrangements unless an authorization is obtained; if authorized, reimbursement may be allowed for Medicare and Medicaid products.
Check eligibility and prior authorization via MVP systems
Providers must check member eligibility and consult the Member Benefits Display and MVP's Utilization Management Guides (and Benefit Interpretation Manual) to determine if prior authorization is required prior to delivering services.
Prior authorization required — lack of approval leads to administrative denial
If an authorization is required and not obtained, MVP will administratively deny all technical, professional, global and/or facility claims for that service; authorizations apply to all claim types for the service.
Administrative denial risk if no prior authorization for surgical or radiology services
Administrative denials will be applied to Outpatient Surgical Services and the Radiology code set when required prior authorization is not obtained; providers must secure prior approval per MVP's Utilization Management Guides.
Policies are not payment guarantees — verify benefits and guidance
MVP payment policies are not guarantees of payment; providers must verify member benefits using the Member Benefits Display and consult the Utilization Management Guides and Benefit Interpretation Manual before providing services.
Eligibility & prior authorization check — use Member Benefits Display
Providers must check member eligibility and the Member Benefits Display and review MVP's Utilization Management Guides to determine if prior authorization is required; access these resources by signing into mvphealthcare.com.
Confirm eligibility and UM Guide requirements (provider reminder)
Providers must confirm member eligibility, consult the Member Benefits Display, and review MVP's Utilization Management Guides and the Benefit Interpretation Manual to determine prior authorization requirements before billing.
Use Appendix ICD-10 list for nutritional counseling claims
Refer to the ICD-10 code listings in the policy Appendix for diagnosis codes associated with members eligible for nutritional counseling services; use the listed ICD-10 codes when submitting claims for nutritional counseling.
Reimburse G0108/G0109 per 30 minutes for DSME
Diabetes outpatient self-management training codes G0108 (individual) and G0109 (group) are reimbursable per 30 minutes when billed appropriately.
- G0108 and G0109 reimburseable per 30-minute increment
Refer to provider fee schedule or IPA agreement for reimbursement details
For specific reimbursement rates and contractual payment terms, providers must consult their provider fee schedule or IPA agreement.
Participating providers must verify eligibility and prior authorization
Participating providers must check member eligibility, use the Member Benefits Display, and review MVP's Utilization Management Guides (and Benefit Interpretation Manual) to determine prior authorization and coverage before furnishing services.
Submit correct diagnosis codes per LCD/NCD or risk denial
Claims for listed procedures must include the correct diagnosis code(s) in accordance with applicable Medicare LCD/NCD or referenced clinical guidance; MVP will deny claims for lack of medical necessity when diagnosis matching requirements are not met.
- Use the referenced Medicare LCD/NCD document IDs when selecting diagnoses
- Pediatric cardiology specialty may be excluded from some echocardiography edits
Include appropriate diagnosis with CPT 82746 (Folic Acid assay)
MVP requires that the correct diagnosis be submitted with claims for folic acid assay (CPT 82746) in accordance with ASCP clinical guidance; refer to the Appendix for appropriate diagnosis codes.
Provide proper diagnosis for CPT 82607 or claim will be denied
Claims for Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12, CPT 82607) must include the correct diagnosis per the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (Novitas LCD Document ID #L34914) or the claim will be denied for medical necessity.
- Reference Novitas Solutions Inc. LCD Document ID #L34914 for required diagnoses
Submit appropriate diagnosis for CPT 83001 per ASRM guidance
For Gonadotropin Follicle Stimulating Hormone testing (CPT 83001), providers must submit the correct diagnosis in accordance with American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidance (see Appendix) or the claim will be denied for medical necessity.
Use NCD/LCD-specified diagnoses for TSH and thyroid panel claims
TSH and related thyroid tests (e.g., CPTs 84443, 84436, 84439, 84479) require correct diagnoses per the Medicare NCD (Publication ID #100-3 Manual Section #190.22) and Novitas LCDs; claims will be denied for medical necessity if diagnoses do not match.
Provide correct diagnosis for T3 assays (84481/TT3) to avoid denial
Assays of Triiodothyronine (T3 total and free, CPT 84481 and TT3) require submission of the correct diagnosis per ASCP/Endocrine Society guidance and Appendix listings; claims lacking appropriate diagnoses will be denied for medical necessity.
Use Appendix diagnosis list for FSH testing claims
Refer to the policy Appendix for the partial list of diagnosis codes associated with Follicle Stimulating Hormone testing and use those ICD-10 codes when submitting claims.
Apply Appendix HSV diagnosis/encounter codes on claims
Use the policy Appendix sample diagnosis/encounter codes listed for Herpes Simplex Virus when submitting related laboratory claims; ensure submitted codes match the Appendix.
Use Appendix ICD-10 codes for IgE testing claims
Consult the Appendix diagnosis code listings for Gammaglobulin IgE testing and submit appropriate ICD-10 codes tied to allergic, respiratory, or dermatologic conditions when billing.
Submit Appendix-listed ICD-10 diagnoses for ESR testing
When billing for ESR testing, submit diagnosis codes consistent with the Appendix malignant/hematologic ICD-10 listings provided in the policy to support medical necessity.
Use Appendix ICD-10 list for ESR claim coding and verification
Refer to the Appendix ICD-10 listing contained in the policy when coding ESR-related claims; use the provided diagnosis codes for accurate claim coding and potential coverage verification.
Definitions and Key Terms
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