General information

Consent

State statutes require informed patient consent before performing HIV or HIV related testing. It is the physician's responsibility to obtain written consent from the patient before specimen collection and retain this consent in the patient's medical record.

Selection of CPT/HCPCS/ICD-9 Codes

ACL will ensure that the CPT or HCPCS code that is used to bill accurately describes the service that was ordered and performed.

ACL will accurately translate narrative diagnosis information provided by the ordering health care provider. When incomplete or missing diagnosis information accompanies a specimen, ACL will contact the ordering health care provider to obtain such information.

Standing Orders (Limited Availability)

A standing order is an order provided by a health care provider that asks ACL to perform a particular test(s) at a defined frequency for a defined period of time. Standing orders raise special compliance issues under Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health programs and will only be accepted if it meets the following criteria:

1. The order is in writing 2. An effective date is specified 3. The patient is identified by name 4. Specific test(s) are requested 5. Frequency of testing is specified 6. A diagnosis, sign or symptom, or ICD-9 code is provided for each test requested 7. The order is signed by a physician or by an individual who has authority to order tests for which Medicare reimbursement is sought.

An accepted standing order is valid for up to one (1) year following the effective date.