How To Use CPT Code 80329

CPT 80329 describes the measurement or detection of one or two nonopioid analgesics, which are pain medications, in a patient specimen. 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 80329?

CPT 80329 can be used to describe the measurement or detection of one or two nonopioid analgesics, such as acetaminophen or salicylate, in a patient specimen. This code is used when a lab analyst performs a test to determine the presence or amount of these pain medications in a specimen, which can be urine or serum.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 80329 is: ‘Analgesics, non-opioid; 1 or 2.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient specimen, which can be urine or serum.
2. The lab analyst performs a test using a methodology such as high performance liquid chromatography to measure or detect the presence of one or two nonopioid analgesics in the specimen.
3. The test may be quantitative, qualitative (positive or negative), or a combination.
4. The lab analyst uses a sensitive detector to quantitate the analyte, separating it from the mixture in the specimen.
5. The lab analyst records the results of the test, indicating the presence or amount of the nonopioid analgesics in the specimen.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 80329 is used when a lab analyst tests a patient specimen for the presence or amount of one or two nonopioid analgesics. These pain medications are not opiates and include drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and salicylate. The test may be ordered to diagnose an overdose of the pain medication or to determine patient compliance with a prescribed regimen.

5. When to use CPT code 80329

CPT code 80329 should be used when a lab analyst tests a patient specimen for one or two nonopioid analgesics. If the test involves more than two nonopioid analgesics, a different CPT code should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 80329, the lab analyst must document the following information:

• Patient’s name and identification
• Type of specimen collected (urine or serum)
• Date and time of specimen collection
• Methodology used for the test (e.g., high performance liquid chromatography)
• Results of the test, indicating the presence or amount of the nonopioid analgesics
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 80329, ensure that the test is performed by a lab analyst and that it involves the measurement or detection of one or two nonopioid analgesics in a patient specimen. Use a different CPT code if the test involves more than two nonopioid analgesics. Consider the guidelines for reporting CPT code 80329 with other codes, and use modifiers if necessary.

8. Historical information

CPT 80329 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 amount of acetaminophen in a patient’s urine specimen.
2. A lab analyst detects the presence of salicylate in a patient’s serum specimen.
3. A lab analyst performs a test to measure the amount of ibuprofen in a patient’s urine specimen.
4. A lab analyst tests a patient’s serum specimen for the presence of acetaminophen and salicylate.
5. A lab analyst measures the amount of acetaminophen and ibuprofen in a patient’s urine specimen.
6. A lab analyst detects the presence of salicylate and ibuprofen in a patient’s serum specimen.
7. A lab analyst performs a test to measure the amount of acetaminophen and salicylate in a patient’s urine specimen.
8. A lab analyst tests a patient’s serum specimen for the presence of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and salicylate.
9. A lab analyst measures the amount of acetaminophen, salicylate, and ibuprofen in a patient’s urine specimen.
10. A lab analyst detects the presence of acetaminophen, salicylate, and ibuprofen in a patient’s serum specimen.