How To Use CPT Code 80344

CPT code 80344 describes the measurement or detection of seven or more antipsychotics 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 80344?

CPT 80344 can be used to measure or detect the presence of seven or more antipsychotics in a patient specimen. This code is used when the lab analyst performs a test to determine the amount or presence of these medications, which are used to treat psychosis and other mental and emotional conditions.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 80344 is: ‘Antipsychotics, not otherwise specified; 7 or more.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient specimen, such as urine or serum.
2. The analyst uses a methodology, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to measure or detect the presence of seven or more antipsychotics in the specimen.
3. The HPLC method separates the analyte from the mixture, allowing a sensitive detector to quantitate the analyte.
4. The test may be quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 80344 is used when the provider needs to measure or detect the presence of seven or more antipsychotics in a patient specimen. This test is not limited to a specific condition and may be ordered to diagnose an overdose or determine patient compliance with a prescribed regimen.

5. When to use CPT code 80344

CPT code 80344 should be used when the provider needs to measure or detect the presence of seven or more antipsychotics in a patient specimen. This code is not appropriate for testing one to three or four to six antipsychotics, which have their own specific codes.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 80344, the provider must document the following information:

• Reason for ordering the test
• Type of specimen collected
• Methodology used for testing
• Results of the test, including the presence or amount of antipsychotics detected
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 80344, ensure that the test is performed to measure or detect the presence of seven or more antipsychotics in a patient specimen. This code should not be reported with other codes for testing one to three or four to six antipsychotics. It is important to follow payer guidelines and consider reporting codes for specimen collection separately, if applicable.

8. Historical information

CPT 80344 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 provider orders CPT 80344 to measure the presence of seven or more antipsychotics in a patient’s urine specimen.
2. A lab analyst performs CPT 80344 to detect the amount of antipsychotics in a patient’s serum specimen.
3. A provider suspects a patient has taken an overdose of antipsychotics and orders CPT 80344 to confirm the presence of these medications.
4. A provider wants to ensure patient compliance with a prescribed antipsychotic regimen and orders CPT 80344 to measure the amount of medication in the patient’s specimen.
5. A provider orders CPT 80344 to assist in diagnosing a patient with a suspected mental or emotional condition by measuring the presence of antipsychotics in their specimen.
6. A lab analyst performs CPT 80344 to determine the effectiveness of a patient’s antipsychotic treatment by measuring the amount of medication in their specimen.
7. A provider orders CPT 80344 to monitor a patient’s antipsychotic levels over time to adjust their medication regimen if necessary.
8. A lab analyst performs CPT 80344 to confirm the presence of antipsychotics in a patient’s specimen before starting or changing their medication.
9. A provider orders CPT 80344 to assess a patient’s compliance with their antipsychotic medication by measuring the amount of medication in their specimen.
10. A lab analyst performs CPT 80344 to assist in diagnosing a patient with a suspected overdose of antipsychotics by measuring the presence of these medications in their specimen.