There are two suggested work ups offered for assessment and evaluation of patients with Long COVID conditions. The expanded work up was created for testing of patients that have not been tested before. Whereas the basic test work up was created for follow up testing. For a complete list of the individual tests in each suggested work up, please see below.
Long COVID Expanded Test Menu
LifeLab’s Long COVID Expanded Test Menu – This offering is to be considered if no previous testing was performed. |
Category |
Lab Tests |
OHIP covered |
MSP covered |
Blood count, electrolytes and renal function
|
Complete Blood Count with possible Iron Studies to Follow |
Yes |
Yes |
Basic Metabolic Tests |
Some |
Some |
Urinalysis Complete |
Yes |
Yes |
Liver Function |
Liver Function Tests |
Some |
Some |
Inflammatory Markers |
C-reactive Protein |
Yes |
Yes**** |
ESR – Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
Yes |
Yes |
Ferritin |
Yes |
Yes |
Thyroid Function |
TSH |
Yes |
Yes |
Free T4 |
Yes |
Yes*** |
Vitamin Deficiencies |
Vitamin D |
No* |
No** |
Vitamin B12 |
Yes |
Yes |
Long COVID Basic Test Menu
LifeLab’s Long COVID Basic Test Menu – This offering is to be considered for persistent symptoms if initial testing such as Complete Blood Count, Basic Metabolic Profile, and Liver Function Tests have been completed. |
Category |
Lab Tests |
OHIP covered |
MSP covered |
Blood count, electrolytes and renal function
|
Urinalysis, Complete |
Yes |
Yes |
Thyroid Function |
TSH with Reflex to Free T4 |
Yes |
Yes |
Inflammatory Markers |
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) |
Yes |
Yes**** |
Vitamin Deficiencies |
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total, Immunoassay |
No* |
No** |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) |
Yes |
Yes |
OHIP: *L606 25-hydroxy vitamin D is insured for persons with the following conditions: osteoporosis, rickets, osteopenia, malabsorption syndromes and renal disease, or for persons who are on medications that affect vitamin D metabolism
MSP: ** 92455: Vitamin D (1,25 dihydroxy) and T92460: Vitamin D (25 Hydroxy-cholecalciferol)
Notes:
- T92460 is not intended for other metabolites of Vitamin D.
- Payable only for beneficiaries under the age of 19 years or when ordered by a specialist.
***Thyroid disease tests:
- TSH is the preferred test for the initial investigation of thyroid disease and for monitoring thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- ) For the initial diagnosis of thyroid disease, confirmation of an abnormal TSH with a free T4 is indicated.
Laboratories should only perform fT3 in addition to fT4 and TSH if the TSH is abnormal but the fT4 is not elevated and there is suspected hyperthyroidism. Laboratories may substitute free hormone assays when total T4 or T3 are ordered
****91300 – C – reactive protein: When requested concurrently with 90515 (Sedimentation rate), only 91300 is payable
Basic Metabolic Tests
- Calcium
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chloride
- Creatinine with GFR Estimated
- Glucose
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
# Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and BUN/Creatinine Ratio are not covered by MSP
Liver Function Tests
- Albumin
- Globulin (calculated)
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated)
- Total Bilirubin
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- Alanine transaminase (ALT)
- Total Protein
- Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) total
- Prothrombin time (PT)
- Aspartate transaminase (AST)
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
# AST and GGT are not covered by both OHIP and MSP
#OHIP disclaimer:
L222 SGOT (AST) is only insured for persons when ordered by or on the advice of a physician with expertise in hepatic disorders.
- [Commentary: Physicians must write “uninsured” beside the test name if the test is not an insured service. The patient will be responsible for payment. It is the authorized healthcare practitioner’s responsibility to inform the patient when the service is not an insured service and that the patient is expected to pay for the service].
#MSP disclaimer:
- Fee item 91065 Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is the preferred liver function test and is a superior marker of hepatocellular damage compared to the 91210 Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test. 3-17 Revised as of January 1, 2019
- In addition, measurement of AST 91210 in conjunction with ALT 91065 rarely adds clinical value and should not be co-billed, unless clinically indicated.
- 91210 AST should only be requested to evaluate liver fibrosis or steatohepatitis