WCHU does drive-through testing and has used Z20.818, Z20.828 with 99211… Hope this helps 🙂
Special coding advice during COVID-19 public health …Three Z codes to choose from:
These codes were described in the original COVID19 FAQ prior to the release of the FY2021 OCG:
https://www.codingclinicadvisor.com/faqs-icd-10-cm-coding-covid-19
Z20.828, Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases is assigned when a patient exhibits signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and COVID-19 is suspected, and COVID-19 test is negative. The symptoms or reason for symptoms would be coded followed by the Z20.828 code.
Z03.818, Encounter for observation for suspected exposure to other biological agents ruled out is assigned when there is NO symptoms or signs of COVID-19 however the patient was documented as being exposed to COVID-19. Examples include the patient coming in contact with another patient with COVID-19 or some other type of exposure. The key here is that there is exposure or suspected exposure to COVID-19. When the test is negative assign Z03.818 to show that the patient was exposed to COVID-19, had no symptoms, and the testing was negative.
Z11.59, Encounter for screening for other viral diseases is used for a patient who presents for COVID-19 testing and has no symptoms and no exposure, and the test is negative. Early on in the pandemic, only patients with symptoms and exposure were being tested for COVID-19. They had to meet CDC requirements for testing. As test kits have become more available, many more patients are being tested without symptoms and without known exposure. We know of one facility that is testing EVERY PATIENT so there would be a Z code on every patient, testing negative, depending on circumstances. If no symptoms with no exposure are documented then it would be Z11.59. These are typically considered screenings for COVID-19. Coders may also see patients screened before outpatient surgeries, or before going to a nursing home.