Since January 27, 2021, variant-specific PCR tests have been possible in accordance with the revised Test Ordinance (TestV) of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG). All persons with a positive PCR test result are eligible – including symptomatic patients who were tested as part of their medical treatment. The aim is to quickly identify the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants.
What should be considered with regard to billing for laboratories and hospitals with the Medat laboratory information system:
If you want to carry out another variant-specific PCR according to TestV in the case of positive PCR tests (regardless of the type of calculation), you only need a unique analyte here. This examination may only be used for billing according to TestV and serves as a trigger in the OEGD dispensing program. The variant-specific examination must be recorded in the same order as the first PCR, otherwise a count is not possible.
The delivery file OEGD (TestV, record type LABTEST) is then created as follows:
If it is an OEGD order in which the normal PCR and the variant-specific PCR are entered
-> type of testing = 3
If the variant-specific PCR is entered in an order with a different accounting type (not TestV)
-> Type of testing = 1 (because the 1st PCR was not billed according to TestV)
Further information can be found on the website of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) at https://www.kbv.de/html/1150_50494.php