2025 CPT code 99000
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Miscellaneous Medicine Services - Special Services, Procedures and Reports Medicine Services and Procedures Feed
Handling and/or conveyance of specimen for transfer from the office to a laboratory.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the service. For example, modifier 52 (reduced services) could be applied if some parts of the preparation were not performed. Refer to the CPT manual for specific modifier guidance.
Medical necessity is established by the need for laboratory testing and analysis of the specimen obtained in the clinical setting.The preparation and transport of the specimen are necessary components of obtaining accurate and timely results for patient care.The code should be used when the preparation and transport are performed by the physician’s office.
The clinical responsibility lies with the office staff who prepare and transport the specimen. This includes following established protocols for specimen handling, ensuring proper labeling and packaging to maintain sample integrity during transport to the external laboratory.The physician is responsible for ordering the test and interpreting results.
- Medicine Services and Procedures
- Special Services, Procedures and Reports; Miscellaneous Medicine Services
In simple words: This code covers the work of getting a sample ready to be sent to a lab for testing.This includes things like spinning it down, separating parts, labeling it, and getting it ready for shipment.
This CPT code (99000) reports the handling and conveyance of a specimen from the physician's office to an outside laboratory for analysis.The procedure encompasses preparation steps such as centrifuging, separating fluid layers, labeling tubes, completing requisition forms, and packaging the specimen for transport. This service is reported in addition to any associated basic services, and modifier 51 should not be appended.
Example 1: A patient undergoes a blood draw in the physician's office. The medical assistant centrifuges the blood sample, separates serum, labels the tubes, completes the laboratory requisition, and packages the specimen for transport to a reference laboratory. Code 99000 is reported in addition to the blood draw code., A urine sample is collected during a routine physical examination. The nurse prepares the sample by labeling the container, completing the requisition form, and packaging it for transport to the laboratory for urinalysis. Code 99000 is reported in addition to the physical examination codes., A wound culture is taken in the clinic. The medical assistant prepares the sample for transport by properly labeling and packaging the specimen for delivery to the microbiology lab. Code 99000 is added to the visit E/M code as an add-on.
Documentation should include the type of specimen handled, the specific preparation steps performed (e.g., centrifugation, separation, labeling), the laboratory to which the specimen was sent, and the date and time of transport. The requisition form or laboratory request slip should be included in the patient's chart.
** This code is typically used in conjunction with other codes representing the primary service (e.g., Evaluation and Management codes, or other diagnostic or procedural codes). It should not be reported if the lab itself handles specimen preparation and transport.Always verify payer-specific guidelines for coverage and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: T1G (LAB TESTS - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This code does not typically involve a technical component (TC) modifier as the service is primarily professional.
- Specialties:All specialties generating specimens requiring external lab analysis.
- Place of Service:Office