Update of the Norwegian Laboratory Code System released

On March 23, 2021, the Norwegian Directorate of e-Health released an updated version of the National Laboratory code (NLK) system (Norsk laboratoriekodeverk 7280.56) and associated tariffs (Laboratoriekodeverk som gir rett til refusjon) for state and private laboratories to be implemented not later than May 01, 2021. NLK system is used for activity-based reimbursement in outpatient settings since 2018. The Norwegian Health Economics Administration (Helfo) reimburses laboratory tests performed in outpatient settings.

Thirty-four new codes were added, five codes have been changed, and seven codes have been terminated.

Two new medical biochemistry codes were introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MB2 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 6.74 NOK):

• NPU29176, DNA-CDC73-gen
• NPU60222, DNA-HSD3B2-gen

One new medical biochemistry code was introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MB7 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 33.99 NOK):

• NPU60254, Hydroxyproline (unspecified)

Two new medical microbiology codes were introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MM1 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 28.98 NOK):

• NPU60261, TB-IGRA antigen (CD4+; CD8+ response) (blood) (Mycobacterium tuberculosis related interferon gamma)
• NPU60262, SARS-CoV-2-IGRA antigen (CD4+; CD8+ response) (blood) (SARS-CoV-2 related interferon gamma)

Seventeen new medical microbiology codes were introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MM2 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 37.67 NOK):

• NOR35213, Metallobetalactamase resistance gene (NDM)
• NOR35214, Carbapenemase resistance gene (OXA-48)
• NOR35215, Carbapenemase resistance gene (OXA-181)
• NOR35216, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistance gene (ESBL CTXM-9)
• NOR35217, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistance gene (ESBL TXM-1)
• NPU59417, NPU59418, NPU60271, NPU60272 - Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid
• NPU60273, NPU60274, NPU60275, NPU60276 - Benzylpenicillin
• NPU60277, NPU60278, NPU60279, NPU60280 - Penicillin V

Four new medical microbiology codes were introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MM3 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 49.26 NOK):

• NPU59832, SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein IgG (plasma)
• NPU59834, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG (plasma)
• NPU59836, SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein IgM (plasma)
• NPU59838, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgM (plasma)

Six new medical microbiology codes were introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MM4 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 75.92 NOK):

• NPU60243, TB-IGRA negative control (Mycobacterium tuberculosis related interferon-gamma) (blood)
• NPU60244, TB-IGRA positive control (Mycobacterium tuberculosis related interferon-gamma) (blood)

• NPU60245, SARS-CoV-2-IGRA negative control (blood) (SARS-CoV-2 related interferon-gamma)
• NPU60246, SARS-CoV-2-IGRA positive control (blood) (SARS-CoV-2 related interferon-gamma)
• NPU60260, SARS-CoV-2-IGRA antigen (CD4+ response) (blood) (SARS-CoV-2 related interferon-gamma)

• NPU60263, TB-IGRA antigen (CD4+ response) (blood) (Mycobacterium tuberculosis related interferon-gamma)

Two new medical microbiology codes were introduced and allocated to the reimbursement category MM7 (meaning that the reimbursement tariff in state laboratories is 260.84 NOK):

• NPU60249, SARS-CoV-2-IGRA conclusion (blood) (SARS-CoV-2 related interferon-gamma)
• NPU60264, CMV-IGRA (blood) (cytomegalovirus related interferon-gamma)

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

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