CMS's COVID Test Table Pertains to Physician Ordering PHE Rules, Not To Coverage

 UPDATE.

A colleague pointed out that CMS says its ;lengthy table of COVID-containing tests is a comprehensive listing of all tests that contain COVID, and any of them may qualify for special emergency rules regarding a physician's order.   However, CMS adds the table ONLY concerns tests that fall under its physician-order-policy, and this is not a table regarding COVERAGE.    For example, a 22-pathogen test containing COVID would fall under the special ordering rules, BUT it is not necessarily covered by various MACs.  Check with the MAC.

See the CMS clarification at its (currently 165 page) guidance of COVID special rules, here:

 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/03092020-covid-19-faqs-508.pdf

I'm quoted from the 12/8 update, but the particular question in the FAQ is dated back to 6/19.

11. Question: Does the CMS table “COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory

Tests for which Medicare Does Not Require a Practitioner Order during the PHE” list Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test codes that Medicare will cover during the PHE? Answer: This table lists codes that, if otherwise covered by Medicare, do not require a treating practitioner’s order as a condition of Medicare payment. The table should not be interpreted as a statement of coverage for the listed codes. There may be some codes for which there are local coverage determinations that non-cover or limit coverage of certain tests. Practitioners and laboratories should check with their local Medicare Administrative Contractor regarding specific questions of coverage. New 6/19/20