counting tests for CLIA-CBCs

[astridfeline]

Hi,

I just want to make sure my interpretation of counting tests for CBCs is correct.  CLIA says

 

For complete blood counts, each measured individual analyte that is ordered and reported is counted separately.

So for example, if we did 100 CBCs, and we're counting WBC, RBC, Hgb, MCV, RDW, Plt count, Neut, lymph, mono, eos, and baso (11 tests) it's reported as 1100?

Thank you in advance.

Rachel

 

[R1R2]

makes sense, I did the same for blood gas tests. 

[SMILLER]

What CLIA rule is this under?  What are you counting tests for?  (You better not be billing those individual tests separately!)  Even if it is just for workloading, i would think that a CBC would be one test--but I may be wrong there.

Scott

[astridfeline]

Hi Scott,

Billing is an entirely different matter than counting tests for CLIA.  Refer to page 9 of CMS form 116.  For hematology then, hematocrit and MCHC are not counted because they are calculated, not measured. Thanks,

Rachel

cms116.pdf

Edited January 11, 2018 by astridfeline
add example.

[astridfeline]

Also, CLIA certification fees are dependent on test volume.

[Antijen]

For annual test volume, you're counting the measured components of the CBC separately - WBC, RBC, PLT, Hgb, MCV - but the differential itself is one test. So one CBC is actually 6 tests. Calculated parameters like RDW don't count towards the total.