How To Use CPT Code 78282

CPT 78282 describes the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss using a radiopharmaceutical or tracer. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 78282?

CPT 78282 can be used to describe the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss. This code is used when a provider injects a radiopharmaceutical or tracer into a patient and analyzes the stool samples to detect and quantify abnormal protein loss from the digestive tract or the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins. This procedure helps diagnose conditions such as bacterial or parasite infections, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma, and other diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 78282 is: ‘The provider analyzes the stool after intravenous injection of a patient with a radiopharmaceutical or tracer. The analysis detects and quantifies an abnormal loss of protein from the digestive tract or the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins. This occurs from conditions such as bacteria or parasite infection of the intestines, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma, or other diseases.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider intravenously injects a radiopharmaceutical or tracer, such as 51CR chromic chloride, into the patient.
2. The patient collects all fecal samples in containers with lids for a 5-day period.
3. The patient delivers the collected specimens to the provider for testing.
4. The provider adds an enzyme and water to each container and mixes well.
5. After waiting 24 hours, the provider draws a sample from each container, including the standard, and compares the amount of tracer in each bucket to the standard.
6. The provider calculates the total percent dose of the tracer excreted to quantify the protein loss.
7. The provider interprets the results and prepares a nuclear medicine report.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 78282 is used when there is a need to analyze gastrointestinal protein loss due to conditions such as bacterial or parasite infections, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma, or other diseases affecting the digestive tract. The procedure requires the use of a radiopharmaceutical or tracer, and the analysis is performed by a qualified provider.

5. When to use CPT code 78282

CPT code 78282 should be used when there is a need to analyze gastrointestinal protein loss using a radiopharmaceutical or tracer. It is appropriate to bill this code when the provider performs the procedure as described in the official description. This code should not be used for other procedures or tests unrelated to the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 78282, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis or suspected condition necessitating the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss
• Type of radiopharmaceutical or tracer used
• Date of injection and collection of stool samples
• Results of the analysis, including the comparison to the standard and the calculated percent dose of the tracer excreted
• Interpretation of the results by the provider
• Signature of the provider performing the analysis

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 78282, ensure that the procedure is performed by a qualified provider and that the analysis is done using a radiopharmaceutical or tracer. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT 78282 with other codes. However, it is important to follow payer policies and guidelines for accurate billing. Modifier 26 should be appended to the radiology code if reporting only the physician’s interpretation, and modifier TC should be appended if reporting only the technical component. If reporting a global service, in which one provider renders both the professional and technical components, no modifier is necessary.

8. Historical information

CPT 78282 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A patient with suspected Crohn’s disease undergoes the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss using a radiopharmaceutical.
2. A patient with lymphoma requires the analysis of protein loss from the digestive tract to assess disease progression.
3. A patient with a bacterial infection in the intestines undergoes the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss to determine the severity of the infection.
4. A patient with suspected parasite infection undergoes the analysis of protein loss from the digestive tract to confirm the presence of parasites.
5. A patient with unexplained protein malabsorption undergoes the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss to identify the underlying cause.
6. A patient with persistent diarrhea undergoes the analysis of protein loss from the digestive tract to assess malabsorption.
7. A patient with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding undergoes the analysis of protein loss to determine the source of bleeding.
8. A patient with suspected malnutrition undergoes the analysis of gastrointestinal protein loss to assess nutritional status.
9. A patient with suspected protein-losing enteropathy undergoes the analysis of protein loss from the digestive tract to confirm the diagnosis.
10. A patient with suspected gastrointestinal lymphangiectasia undergoes the analysis of protein loss to evaluate lymphatic function.