MedicaidBilling CodesMedium impact
COVID-19: COVID Testing and Specimen Collection Codes
Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet)·MO · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice·Provider Notice
Effective date
Mar 1, 2020
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
MO HealthNet updated COVID-19 testing and specimen collection billing codes, rates, and coverage rules. Key changes include rate reductions for high throughput testing codes U0003/U0004 (from $100 to $75) effective January 1, 2021, and updated billing requirements for independent laboratories and pharmacies.
Action Required
Immediately: Update billing system with current COVID-19 testing code rates, especially reduced rates for U0003/U0004 ($75 vs previous $100). Ensure independent lab claims for COVID-19 testing are submitted on separate claims from other lab services. Verify pharmacists can bill COVID-19 testing codes for dates of service after January 1, 2021. Claims not following these requirements will be recycled or denied.