Q&A: Laboratory billing at RHCs

Q. What laboratory services are covered under the rural health clinic (RHC) benefit?

A. An RHC is required to furnish certain laboratory services onsite, although only certain components of these services are covered under the RHC benefit. An RHC may also offer other special services, such as chronic care management, telehealth, and home health services. Coverage and billing restrictions may apply to these services.

An RHC must be able to furnish the following laboratory services onsite for the immediate diagnosis and treatment of its patients:

• Blood glucose
• Hemoglobin or hematocrit
• Occult blood stool examination
• Pregnancy tests
• Primary culturing for transmittal to a certified

For more information on RHC billing and compliance, join Debbie Mackaman, RHIA, CPCO, CCDS, at 12 p.m. (Eastern) Thursday, March 29, for the three-hour RHC virtual workshop or see The Essential Rural Health Clinic Billing and Management Guide.

Need expert advice? Email your questions for consideration in the Revenue Cycle Daily Advisor. Note: We do not guarantee that all questions will be answered.