The new codes are to be implemented April 5, effective for dates of service on and after Dec. 8, 2009, the date when CMS announced its final decision to provide coverage for voluntary screening of beneficiaries at risk of HIV infection and all pregnant beneficiaries.

The codes G0432, G0433, and G0435 describe the approved methods for performing the testing. Between April 4, 2010, and Jan. 1, 2011, the codes will be contractor-priced. Also, for dates of service between Dec. 8, 2009, and April 4, 2010, unlisted procedure code 99199 may be used when paying for these services. Deductible and coinsurance do not apply.

For further details on the coverage and payment policy, including the HCPCS codes and related ICD-9 diagnosis codes, see the March 15 issue of the National Intelligence Report.