How To Use CPT Code 80337

CPT 80337 describes the measurement or detection of six or more tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants 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 80337?

CPT 80337 can be used to describe the measurement or detection of six or more tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient specimen. This code is used when the lab analyst performs a test to determine the presence or amount of these psychiatric medications in the specimen. The test may be quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 80337 is: ‘Antidepressants, tricyclic and other cyclicals; 6 or more.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient specimen, which may be serum, plasma, or urine.
2. The specimen is tested using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a method that separates the analyte from the mixture.
3. The lab analyst quantitates the amount of tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in the specimen or determines if the specimen is positive or negative for these substances.
4. The test results are reported to the healthcare provider for further interpretation and decision-making.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 80337 is used when the lab analyst tests the specimen for six or more tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants. This test may be ordered to diagnose an overdose of these medications or to monitor therapeutic levels in patients. The specimen can be collected from various sources, such as venous blood, and the testing method is typically HPLC.

5. When to use CPT code 80337

CPT code 80337 should be used when the lab analyst tests the specimen for six or more tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants. It is important to use the correct code based on the number of substances being tested. If the test is for one or two substances, use CPT code 80335. For three to five substances, use CPT code 80336.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 80337, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Reason for ordering the test, such as suspected overdose or therapeutic monitoring
• Type of specimen collected
• Date and time of specimen collection
• Testing method used, such as HPLC
• Test results, including the presence or amount of tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 80337, ensure that the lab analyst performs the test for six or more tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants. It is important to follow the specific guidelines for reporting this code and to consider any additional codes that may be necessary for specimen collection. Some payers may require a separate code for specimen collection, such as CPT code 36415 for venous blood collection.

8. Historical information

CPT code 80337 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 presence and amount of six tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient’s urine specimen.
2. A healthcare provider orders a test to detect the presence of six or more tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient’s plasma specimen to monitor therapeutic levels.
3. A lab analyst performs a quantitative test to measure the amount of seven tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient’s serum specimen.
4. A healthcare provider suspects an overdose of tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants and orders a test to detect the presence of six or more substances in a patient’s urine specimen.
5. A lab analyst uses HPLC to measure the amount of six tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient’s plasma specimen.
6. A healthcare provider orders a test to determine if a patient is complying with a prescribed regimen of tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants by testing their urine specimen for six or more substances.
7. A lab analyst performs a qualitative test to determine if a patient’s urine specimen is positive or negative for the presence of six tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants.
8. A healthcare provider orders a test to monitor therapeutic levels of tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient’s plasma specimen, testing for six or more substances.
9. A lab analyst measures the presence and amount of six tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants in a patient’s serum specimen using HPLC.
10. A healthcare provider suspects an overdose of tricyclic and other cyclicals antidepressants and orders a test to detect the presence of six or more substances in a patient’s plasma specimen.