Specimen collection for DNA testing

[Cpatel]

Hello,

My mental health client is collecting specimen for DNA testing in office to identify how the patient metabolizes each drug. The doctors office takes the swab, sends it to the lab, and the physician uses this information to help with medication selection. My physician want to bill 81225 which I believe is not a proper code. Please share the code that we can use if anyone is billing this service.

Thank you

[Michele]

You are right.  The 81225 is for the actual lab test, not collecting the specimen.  99000 would be more appropriate for what you are describing.  99000 is usually not a covered code under most plans.  But that is really the only code to describe taking a swab and sending it to a lab.  If they bill the 81225 it would most likely be denied as well since the provider is not a lab and that code would have to be performed at a lab.