CPT® 86826, 86822, 86817, 86813, 86825, 86821, 86816, 86812; HLA - Histocompatibility Testing Service - JE Service Specific Probe Review Findings

Current Review Results

In order to fulfill its contractual obligation with CMS, Noridian Healthcare Solutions (Noridian), your Medicare Contractor, performs pre -payment reviews in accordance with CMS direction. CMS is required by the Social Security Act to ensure that payment is made only for those medical services that are reasonable and necessary. Medical review assesses submitted documentation to validate provider compliance with Medicare payment rules and regulations, including coverage, coding and billing guidelines.

This is to update providers of the claim review findings for HLA - Histocompatibility Testing Services. The results of this focused review are not a reflection on providers’ competence as a health care professional or the quality of care provided to patients. Specifically, the results are based on the documentation requested by Medicare and/or your facility’s compliance with the required documentation.

Summary of Findings

Since the initiation of the review, 572 claims were reviewed from February 5, 2024, to October 10, 2024. The breakdown of those findings are as follows:

  • 34 claims were allowed.
  • 538 claims were denied in full for the following reasons:
    • Failure to return records
    • The documentation submitted does not support medical necessity as listed in coverage requirements in the National Coverage Determination or Local Coverage Determination.
      • Documentation did not support National Coverage Determination (NCD) 190.1

The overall error rate since the initiation of this service specific probe review is 95.28%. The error rate is calculated by dividing the dollar amount of charges billed in error (minus any confirmed under-billed charges) by the total amount of charges for services medically reviewed. If you disagree with a claim determination, the normal appeal process may be followed as directed on the Noridian website under Appeals or as directed in your claim remittance advice, although this will not affect the error rate of the pre-payment review.

Education

National Coverage Determination 190.1 "Histocompatibility Testing" discusses the coverage requirements for these services. This can be located within the Internet-Only Manuals (IOM), Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual, Publication 100-03, chapter 1, Part 3, Section 190.1 at Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual.

Histocompatibility testing involves the matching or typing of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA). This testing is safe and effective when it is performed on patients:

  1. In preparation for a kidney transplant;
  2. In preparation for bone marrow transplantation;
  3. In preparation for blood platelet transfusions (particularly where multiple infusions are involved; or
  4. Who are suspected of having ankylosing spondylitis. This testing is covered under Medicare when used for any of the indications listed in A, B, and C and if it is reasonable and necessary for the patient.

It is covered for ankylosing spondylitis in cases where other methods of diagnosis would not be appropriate or have yielded inconclusive results. Request documentation supporting the medical necessity of the test from the physician in all cases where ankylosing spondylitis is indicated as the reason for the test.

Resources

For additional educational resources, please visit our Education and Outreach department.

Provider Action Required

Providers should review individual claim determinations.

To review individual claim comments via the Noridian Medicare Portal, complete the following steps:

  • Log into Noridian Medicare Portal
  • Choose Claim Status from the menu bar.
  • On the Claim Status Inquiry page:
  • Fill in all Provider/Supplier Details.
  • Select MEDB under Program drop down box
  • Fill in all Beneficiary Details
  • Fill in Claim Details.
  • Click the Submit Inquiry button at the bottom of the form.
  • On the Claim Status Results page
  • Choose View Claim.
  • On the right side of the page will the heading: Related Inquiries
  • Choose Noridian Comments.
  • Scroll down the page and under the Claim Status Line Details the comment will display.

Note: If documentation was sent late (>45 days from the date of the ADR), the claim may have been reopened by the examiner. These reviews are not currently available on the portal.

Initial documentation must be sent by fax, mail or esMD. Additional documentation requested can be submitted fax, mail or Noridian Medicare Portal.

Further provider action recommended includes:

  • Provide education regarding errors noted to applicable staff members.
  • Verify documentation supports medical necessity of HLA - Histocompatibility Testing Services.
  • Ensure ADR submissions are timely, complete, and include all documentation to support medical necessity and a valid physician order.
  • If records supporting the services on the claim are located at another facility, as the billing provider, your facility is responsible for obtaining those records for review.

Summary

This service specific probe review will continue until medical review results demonstrate provider compliance with Medicare guidelines and education provided. This file is reviewed at least quarterly; providers with low/no errors after a reasonable sample will no longer be reviewed for this file. Remaining providers will continue to be reviewed.

If you would like to receive information regarding findings specific to your facility prior to the completion of the review, send an email to medicalreviewpartb@noridian.com. In order to facilitate the response, follow these instructions:

  • Complete the Subject line with the following information: Results request for HLA - Histocompatibility Testing Services widespread review
  • In the body of the email, include the following elements:
    • Your name, title, and telephone number
    • The facility name
    • NPI Number
    • Short description of information you would like to receive
    • Indicate if you would like to receive results via phone call, fax or US Mail and include a fax number or mailing address as applicable.
  • Upon request receipt, Noridian Medical Review will respond as timely as possible. Requests may take up to two weeks to be completed.

If you have any questions, contact the (JE) Provider Contact Center

Last Updated Oct 25 , 2024