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*** LAB NEWS ***
3/20 /2000
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ORDERABLE PANELS
Several changes have been made for the year 2000 in laboratory test
panels defined by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). HCFA requires
that these changes in ordering practice go into effect on exactly
April 1, 2000. As of this date, the new panels will be orderable,
and the former panels will NOT be orderable. ***PHYSICIANS MUST
CONTINUE TO ORDER ONLY THOSE TESTS THAT ARE MEDICALLY NECESSARY
FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF EACH PATIENT. A PANEL CAN ONLY
BE ORDERED IF EACH AND EVERY TEST WITHIN IT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY.
ALTERNATIVELY, ANY TEST MAY BE ORDERED INDIVIDUALLY.***
The following are the approved panels (CPT code in parentheses)
that are orderable in our laboratory, as of 4--1-00:
Basic metabolic panel (80048) (IT CHANGES FROM A CHEM 7 TO
A CHEM 8, with the addition of calcium.)
* Sodium
* Potassium
* Chloride
* CO2
* Glucose
* BUN
* Creatinine
* Calcium
Hepatic panel (80076)
(TOTAL PROTEIN is added)
* Albumin
* Bilirubin, total
* Bilirubin, direct
* Alkaline Phosphatase
* Total Protein
* ALT
* AST
Electrolyte Panel (80051)
(NO CHANGE)
* Sodium
* Potassium
* Chloride
* CO2
Lipid panel (80061) (NO
CHANGE)
* Cholesterol, total
* Triglycerides
* HDL-cholesterol
(in addition, values of LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol are
calculated from the above and provided at no charge)
Hepatitis Panel, Acute
(80074) (NEW PANEL). We do not do each of the tests every day, and
results will be reported as they are available).
* Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
* Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM
* Hepatitis B surface antigen
* Hepatitis C Antibody
Another change is that
the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test has been approved by Medicare
as a screening test for prostate cancer. The screening PSA test
is covered only once every 12 months for men age 50 and above. To
order on Invision, probe PROSTATE SPEC AG, SCREEN in the laboratory
order entry flow. To order PSA for monitoring of known prostate
cancer, continue to order Prostate Spec Ag. For outside clients,
please refer to the Chemistry Requisition Form for test ordering.
- Jay L. Bock, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Clinical Pathology
x4-2600
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