Effective June 1, 2024: New Clinical Payment Policies: Infectious Disease - Lab Screening and Testing

POLICY

NEW POLICY OVERVIEW OR UPDATED POLICY REVISIONS

TX.CP.MP.305

Infectious Disease Primary Care and Preventive Lab Screening

In some instances, testing of healthy/asymptomatic individuals for infectious diseases is recommended as part of public health prevention and minimization of harm efforts. This policy outlines criteria for human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and group B streptococcus (GBS). 

TX.CP.MP.301

Infectious Disease: Respiratory Lab Testing

Seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 infect many individuals each year.   Diagnostic testing for upper respiratory tract infections can be very useful for clinicians, as clinical signs and symptoms of these infections can have significant overlap between pathogens.  This policy outlines criteria for Syndromic/Multiplex Respiratory Panels with 6 or More Targets, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, or Influenza A/B, OR Multiplex Respiratory Viral Panels with 5 or Fewer Targets, Bacterial Respiratory Infection/Pneumonia Panels, Influenza A and B Antibody Tests, Group A Streptococcus Pharyngitis Tests, Group A Streptococcus Pharyngitis Cultures, and Group A Streptococcus Antibody Tests.

TX.CP.MP.302

Infectious Disease: Multi-System Lab Testing

Some pathogens cause infections with symptoms that affect a primary body system, while others cause infections that affect multiple body systems. This policy outlines the appropriate use of tests for pathogens that can cause multisystem symptoms and/or infections. Tests for pathogens that infect multiple body systems can be targeted to detect a specific pathogen(s) or non-targeted to broadly detect nucleic acid from any potential pathogen.

TX.CP.MP.303

Infectious Disease: Dermatologic Testing

Fungal infection of the nails (onychomycosis) is common. 

Confirmatory testing should be performed to confirm fungal infection before initiating treatment to prevent inappropriate use of antifungal medications. This policy outlines the appropriate use of Microscopy/Peroxidase Tests, Fungal Culture, and Culture-Independent Molecular Tests (NAAT/PCR) for Onychomycosis.

TX.CP.MP.304

Infectious Disease: Gastroenterologic Lab Testing

Infections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract represent a significant cause of infectious disease worldwide. GI infections can be caused by several pathogen types, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (e.g., protozoal illnesses such as giardiasis).   This policy outlines appropriate use of multi-pathogen panels, as well as diagnostic assays targeted at Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

TX.CP.MP.306

Infectious Disease: Vector-Borne and Tropical Diseases Lab Testing

This policy outlines criteria for Lyme disease and Zika virus testing via serologic and molecular methods.

TX.CP.MP.307

Infectious Disease: Genitourinary Lab Testing

Cultures, microscopic examination and molecular identification are all common testing methods for evaluating the infectious causes of various genitourinary conditions.  This policy outlines criteria for

Targeted Vaginitis/Vaginosis Pathogen Testing, Expanded Multiplex Vaginitis/Vaginosis Pathogen Panels, Urine Culture for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, and Molecular/Multiplex UTI Panels.