Table 2.
Net costs of Lyme disease serological tests
| Testa | Direct cost ($)b | CPTc code(s) | Reimbursement ($)d | Net cost to care center ($)e |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCS ELISA | 127 | 86618 | 33 | 94 |
| C6 ELISA | 180 | 86618 | 33 | 147 |
| Immunoblots (IgM and IgG) | 264 | 86617 (×2) | 59 | 205 |
| WCS ELISA plus immunoblots | 399 | 86618, 86617 (×2) | 92 | 307 |
| C6 ELISA plus immunoblots | 432 | 86618, 86617 (×2) | 92 | 340 |
| WCS ELISA plus C6 ELISA | 309 | 86618 (×2) | 65 | 244 |
a
WCS, whole-cell sonicate; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IgM, immunoglobulin M; IgG, immunoglobulin G. For two-tiered test combinations, the costs shown reflect those incurred when both tests are performed at the same diagnostic laboratory.
b
Direct costs reflect the median undiscounted costs of reference laboratory testing, based on available data from 5 laboratories (for the C6 ELISA) or 6 laboratories (for all other tests) collected in 2012.
c
CPT, Current Procedural Terminology.
d
Potential reimbursements reflect the median Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement rates for 2012.
e
Net costs were calculated by subtracting reimbursements from direct costs.