Regular update of the Norwegian Laboratory Code System released

On March 23, 2022, the Norwegian Directorate of e-Health released an updated version of the National Laboratory code (NLK) system (Norsk laboratoriekodeverk 7280.62) to be implemented no later than May 01, 2022. The associated tariffs are not published (as of April 11, 2022). NLK system has been used for activity-based reimbursement by the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (Helfo) in outpatient settings since 2018.

Thirty-two codes were added, 91 codes have been changed, and one code has been terminated.

The following new medical biochemistry codes were introduced:

• NPU58634, FIB-4 (Fibrosis-4 index for liver fibrosis, a scoring system based on several laboratory tests);
• NPU60571, blastocyst (morphology);

Twenty-five new medical microbiology codes were introduced, some examples are provided below:

• NPU56066, Pseudomonas DNA (faeces);
• NPU56067, Pseudomonas DNA;
• NPU60228, Bacterial whole genome;
• NPU60572, Trypanosoma cruzi IgG (ELISA) (plsma);
• NPU60573, Trypanosoma cruzi IgG (plsma);
• NPU60575, Molds fungi, whole genome;
• NPU60576, Yeast fungi, whole genome;
• NPU60577, Parasite, whole genome;
• NPU60578, Cytomegalovirus, whole genome;
• NPU60579, Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 + 2, whole genome;
• NPU60587, Clostridioides difficile toxin DNA;
• NPU60600, Herpes simplex virus 1 + 2 DNA (plasma);
• NPU60601, Enterobacteriae (carbapenem resistant) (faeces);

One new medical genetic code was introduced: NOR35245, RNA-NGS- transcriptome (Next-generation sequencing of the entire transcriptome)

One new immunology and transfusiology code was introduced: NPU60557, Laceyella sacchari IgG, m42 (plasma).

The following new clinical pharmacology codes were introduced:

• NPU60568, Ecgonine methyl ester (plasma);
• NPU60569, Norbuprenorphine(salvia);
• NPU60570, Cocaethylene (plasma)

See more information in Norwegian here (codes) and here (tariffs).

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