How To Use CPT Code 80320

CPT code 80320 describes the measurement or detection of alcohol in a patient specimen for medical or legal purposes. 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 80320?

CPT 80320 can be used to measure or detect the presence of alcohol in a patient specimen, such as blood, urine, other body fluids, or tissue. This code is typically used for medical or legal purposes, including determining alcohol levels, assessing unconscious patients, or evaluating alcohol intoxication.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 80320 is: ‘Alcohols (For alcohol [ethanol] by immunoassay and enzymatic methods, use 82077).’ This code is used to measure or detect the presence of alcohol in a patient specimen using various methodologies, including high performance liquid chromatography.

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst receives a patient specimen, which may be blood, urine, other body fluids, or tissue.
2. The lab analyst performs a test to measure or detect the presence of alcohol in the specimen using a methodology such as high performance liquid chromatography.
3. The test separates the alcohol analyte from the specimen mixture, allowing a sensitive detector to quantitate the analyte.
4. The lab analyst may perform quantitative testing to measure the exact amount of alcohol, qualitative testing to determine if the specimen is positive or negative for alcohol, or a combination of both.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 80320 is used when there is a need to measure or detect the presence of alcohol in a patient specimen. This may be for medical purposes, such as assessing alcohol levels or evaluating unconscious patients, or for legal purposes, such as satisfying chain of custody rules for medicolegal specimens. The test can be performed on various types of specimens, including blood, urine, other body fluids, or tissue.

5. When to use CPT code 80320

CPT code 80320 should be used when there is a specific need to measure or detect the presence of alcohol in a patient specimen. This may include cases where alcohol levels need to be determined for medical or legal purposes, or when evaluating unconscious patients or alcohol intoxication. It is important to ensure that the test is performed using the appropriate methodology and on the appropriate specimen type.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 80320, the following documentation should be included:

• Reason for ordering the test, such as medical or legal purposes
• Specimen type used for the test, such as blood, urine, other body fluids, or tissue
• Methodology used to measure or detect the presence of alcohol
• Results of the test, including quantitative or qualitative findings
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 80320, ensure that the test is performed to measure or detect the presence of alcohol in a patient specimen. It is important to follow the appropriate coding guidelines and use the correct CPT code for the specific test performed. If reporting with other codes, ensure that they are compatible and appropriate for the services provided.

8. Historical information

CPT 80320 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2015. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst measures the alcohol levels in a blood specimen to determine if a patient is intoxicated.
2. A clinician orders a test to detect the presence of alcohol in a urine specimen for a legal case involving a suspected DUI.
3. A lab analyst performs a test on a tissue specimen to assess alcohol levels in a deceased individual for a forensic investigation.
4. A healthcare provider requests a test to measure alcohol levels in a patient’s blood as part of a routine medical examination.
5. A lab analyst performs a test on a urine specimen to determine if a patient has consumed alcohol while on medication that prohibits alcohol consumption.
6. A clinician orders a test to detect the presence of alcohol in a body fluid specimen to assess alcohol exposure in a newborn.
7. A lab analyst measures the alcohol levels in a blood specimen to determine if a patient has complied with an alcohol abstinence program.
8. A healthcare provider requests a test to detect the presence of alcohol in a urine specimen to evaluate a patient’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
9. A lab analyst performs a test on a tissue specimen to assess alcohol levels in a deceased individual for a toxicology report.
10. A clinician orders a test to measure alcohol levels in a blood specimen to assess alcohol metabolism in a patient with liver disease.