MedicaidBilling CodesHigh impact
COVID-19 Reimbursible Laboratory Codes
Maryland Medicaid·MD · Pathology, Infectious Disease, Emergency Medicine +1 more·Provider Transmittal
Effective date
Feb 4, 2020
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Maryland Medicaid announces reimbursable COVID-19 laboratory testing codes with FFS rates ranging from $35.92 to $100.00, including standard PCR tests (U0001, U0002, 87635) and high-throughput variants (U0003, U0004), plus specimen collection codes (G2023, G2024) for independent laboratories collecting from homebound or non-hospital inpatient beneficiaries.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team must update billing software and fee schedules to recognize and accept COVID-19 laboratory codes U0001, U0002, U0003, U0004, and 87635 with their respective FFS reimbursement rates. For independent laboratories: Add specimen collection codes G2023 ($23.46) and G2024 ($25.46) to billing system, ensuring G2023 is used only when trained lab personnel collect specimens from homebound individuals or non-hospital inpatients, and G2024 is used only for SNF or HHA-referred collections. Do NOT bill U0003 or U0004 for antibody detection tests. Update provider documentation requirements to specify collection method and beneficiary setting when billing G2023 or G2024. Verify all claims submitted against these codes are matched to correct effective dates (U0001/U0002 as of 2/4/20, 87635 as of 3/16/20, U0003/U0004 as of 4/14/20, G2023/G2024 as of 3/1/20). Failure to code correctly will result in claim denials or underpayment.