billing lab fees

[CLAUDIA]

I just took on a new doctor who bills lab fees out of his office.  I have not done this before and need some instruction - a crash course, if you will.   He doesn't bill Medicare, only commercial claims.  I know I need to mark box 20, and then I am lost.  Please point me in the right direction to find the info or explain it to me here!

I will give you an example - pt seen on 04/12/10. Had a 99214 exam and Dr ordered 9 test from blood drawn -   do I list each test by procedure code and then put that total for labs in box 20, per CMS-1500?   

[medauthor]

Were the labs done in HIS office, or did the patient have the tests done at an outside lab??  If the labs were NOT done in HIS office, then NO, you do NOT list them on the CMS form with your 99214..............the LAB will bill the insurance co for the tests done 

[CLAUDIA]

The Dr draws the blood in his office, but he pays the outside lab's fees.  He bills the insurance and hopes to get paid enough to cover his cost.  If not, then he will bill the patient after the fact.  So, the outside lab bills the Dr, not the insurance.   So, I post the blood draw and tests ordered on the CMS1500, is that correct?  and, mark Box 20 NO, is that correct?  thanks in advance for your input!  I need to get these claims out!