CPT Code 80306 | Description & Clinical Information

CPT 80306 describes the process of conducting a presumptive drug test, which involves using any method that can be read by instrument-assisted direct optical observation, such as immunoassay, to screen for multiple drug classes on a single date.

Official Description

The CPT book defines CPT code 80306 as: “Drug test(s), presumptive, any number of drug classes, any number of devices or procedures; read by instrument assisted direct optical observation (eg, utilizing immunoassay [eg, dipsticks, cups, cards, or cartridges]), includes sample validation when performed, per date of service”.

Clinical Information

The procedure describes by CPT code 80306 involves several technical steps that a lab analyst takes to test a patient’s specimen for the presence of various drug classes using presumptive screening. The lab analyst can use any method read by instrument-assisted direct optical observation only, which includes dipsticks, cups, cards, and cartridges. These tests aim to detect the possible but not definitive presence of drugs and/or metabolites, known as presumptive drug test results.

Apart from the drug tests, the lab analyst can also perform additional tests to validate that the specimen is urine and is from the patient. Tests like urinalysis, creatinine, or pH can help confirm the presence of the patient’s urine in the specimen. The qualitative results obtained from these tests can be ordered by the clinicians to detect drug overdose cases or to screen for possible drug abuse.

Clinicians primarily order this test to detect possible drug abuse or overdose cases, and the results provided are only qualitative. To quantify the amount of the substance present in the patient specimen, further follow-up testing may be necessary. This testing may involve screening for any drug class or classes that yield positive results on this screening test.

Overall, CPT 80306 is a comprehensive test used to determine possible drug abuse cases or drug overdose in patients. The tests done by the lab analyst are critical in providing accurate results, and the quantitative tests ordered by clinicians can help determine the exact amount of drugs present in the patient specimen. These tests are vital in providing necessary treatments and ensuring the safety of the patients.

Return to all the CPT codes for presumptive drug class screening procedures.