CPT Code 83883 | Description & Clinical Information

CPT 83883 describes the utilization of nephelometry by a lab analyst to measure the quantity of an unspecified analyte in a patient’s specimen.

Official Description

The CPT book defines CPT code 83883 as: “Nephelometry, each analyte not elsewhere specified”.

Clinical Information

The procedure described by CPT code 83883 is a method of analysis called Nephelometry. This technique is used to analyze new or unusual substances that do not currently have an assigned code. When a lab analyst comes across a substance that they are unsure how to code, they can employ nephelometry to help identify it.

When performing the nephelometry analysis, a typical specimen used is blood. The lab analyst will collect a sample of blood from the patient through routine vein puncture. From there, the lab analyst will add dilute samples to a polystyrene reaction well that is coated with antibodies to the specific substance being analyzed. This causes a reaction to take place, forming an antigen-antibody complex.

Next, the lab analyst passes a beam of light through the complex. The scattered light is then detected and analyzed for intensity by the lab equipment. The intensity of the scattered light is proportional to the concentration of the substance present in the sample. This allows the analyst to measure the exact amount of the substance present, referred to as quantitating the analyte.

When reporting CPT code 83883, it is important to include each subclass. By doing so, it allows for proper documentation and billing to the appropriate insurance company. Subclasses can include information such as the specific substance being analyzed, the concentration of the substance, and any additional information relevant to the analysis.

In summary, the use of nephelometry and CPT code 83883 is a valuable tool in the lab analyst’s toolkit. It allows for the analysis of new or unusual substances that do not currently have a classification code. By analyzing the concentration of the specific substance, it provides valuable information for proper diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

Return to all the CPT codes for chemistry procedures.