Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule ñ Medicare Travel Allowance Fees for Collection of Specimens

This article revises the payment of travel allowances for specimen collection services when billed on a per mileage basis using HCPCS code P9603 and when billed on a flat rate basis, using HCPCS code P9604 for Calendar Year 2011. The per mile travel allowance (P9603) is $0.96 per mile and the per flat-rate trip basis travel allowance (P9604) is $9.60. The travel allowance is intended to cover the estimated travel costs of collecting a specimen including the laboratory technician’s salary and travel expenses. Payment of the travel allowance is made only if a specimen collection fee is also payable.