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Zika Virus Testing and Coding the Disease for the Medicare Beneficiary

Published on 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

 | Billing 
 | Coding 
 | Miscellaneous 

Growing up in the south, I remember being told that summer is mosquito season. What I found in writing this article is that it’s more about the temperature levels. Specifically, when temperatures reach a consistent 50°F mosquito eggs begin hatching and mosquito season begins. So, in more temperate parts of the nation, mosquitoes can be present year-round. Here in my home state of Alabama the mosquito season typically begins in early March.

I also learned that there are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world; currently 176 of these species has been recognized in the United States. Today, we are focusing on just one group of mosquito, Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit the Zika virus.

About the Virus

The Zika Virus was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika Forest of Uganda. The first human cases of the virus were detected in 1952 and since outbreaks have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes who also transmit three other vector-borne diseases (dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever).

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that most infected people are asymptomatic. When a person is symptomatic, common symptoms of the virus normally lasts for 2-7 days and can include:

  • Acute onset of fever,
  • Maculopapular rash,
  • Headache,
  • Muscle and joint pain, and
  • Conjunctivitis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes two serious complications reported by Brazil:

  • July 2015: Brazil reported an association between the virus and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
  • October 2015: Brazil reported an association between the virus infection and microcephaly.

On February 1, 2016 the WHO declared the Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and since then has been posting weekly Zika Situation Reports. The last report posted at the time of this article was June 23, 2016. Key notes of concern from the June 23rd Summary includes:

  • As of June 22, 2016, 61 countries and territories report continuing mosquito-borne transmissions of which:
  • 47 countries are experiencing a first outbreak of the virus since 2015 with ongoing transmissions by mosquitoes.
  • Ten countries have reported evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus noted to probably be via a sexual route.
  • As of June 22, 2016, microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) malformations potentially associated with the virus or suggestive of congenital infection have been reported by twelve countries or territories.
  • As of June 9th, the CDC has reported three live born infants with birth defects and three pregnancy losses with birth defects with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection.
  • 13 Countries and territories worldwide have reported an increase incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and/or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among GBS cases.

Medicare to Cover Diagnostic Testing for Zika Virus

CMS has released MLN Matters Article SE1615 titled Medicare Coverage of Diagnostic Testing for Zika Virus. Specific Provider Action Needed includes:

  • Informing the public that Medicare covers testing under Medicare Part B “as long as the clinical diagnostic laboratory test is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a person’s illness or injury,”
  • As currently there are no HCPCS codes for testing of the Zika virus, laboratories furnishing the Zika tests should contact their Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for guidance on appropriate billing codes to use on the claims; and
  • Labs should provide “resources and cost information as may be requested by the MACs in order for the MACs to establish appropriate payment amounts for the tests.”

ICD-10-CM Coding for Zika

The Zika Virus was discussed during the March 9-10, 2016 ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting. ICD-10-CM currently classifies the virus to code A92.8, Other specific mosquito-borne virus.

In December 2015 the WHO noted the need for a separate code for the Zika Virus to allow for tracking of cases. The WHO proposed a new code for the Zika virus (A92.5). To be consistent with the planned WHO ICD-10 update, effective October 1, 2016 ICD-10-CM will include the addition of the following:

Chapter 1 – Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99)

A92 – Other Mosquito-borne viral fevers

New Code: A92.5 – Zika virus disease
Zika virus fever
Zika virus infection
Zika, NOS

Prevention

The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is an association “dedicated to providing leadership, information and education leading to the enhancement of public health and quality of life through the suppression of mosquitoes.” In fact, this past week of June 26 – July 2nd was National Mosquito Control Awareness Week 2016. In a Press Release template, the AMCA® reminds the public to practice the THREE D's of Mosquito Prevention and Protection:

  • Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
  • Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and
  • Defend: Properly apply an approved repellant such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
Article Author: Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS
Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS, is the Manager of Clinical Analytics at Medical Management Plus, Inc. Beth has over twenty-five years of experience in healthcare including eleven years in Case Management at a large multi-facility health system. In her current position, Beth is a principle writer for MMP’s Wednesday@One weekly e-newsletter, an active member of our HIPAA Compliance Committee, MMP’s Education Department Program Director and co-developer of MMP’s proprietary Compliance Protection Assessment Tool.

This material was compiled to share information.  MMP, Inc. is not offering legal advice. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and useful.