Lab-to-Lab Referrals

On February 6, 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued Transmittal 85 Change Request (CR) 3090, which provides instructions to resolve billing issues when a laboratory refers a specimen for testing by another laboratory in another Carrier’s jurisdiction (“lab-to-lab referral”).

CMS had previously published the instructions on October 31, 2003 as Transmittal 23 Change Request (CR) 2193, with an effective date of April 1, 2004. CR 3090 supersedes CR 2193 and full implementation of the instructions will now be for dates of service on or after July 1, 2004.