The MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19").
Effective with dates of services on or after March 1, 2020, MO HealthNet will cover the new specimen collection code C9803 (Hospital outpatient clinic visit specimen collection for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (sars-cov-2) (coronavirus disease [covid-19]), any specimen source). This code can only be billed when provided as an outpatient service.
The MO HealthNet Division is waiving the co-payment for this code.
This Hot Tip also applies to providers that are contracted with the Managed Care Organizations.