How To Use CPT Code 80347

CPT 80347 describes the measurement or detection of 13 or more benzodiazepines, which are tranquilizers, 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 80347?

CPT 80347 can be used to measure or detect the presence of 13 or more benzodiazepines, which are a class of tranquilizers, in a patient specimen. This code is used when a lab analyst performs a test to determine the amount or presence of these substances in a patient’s blood or urine sample. The test may be quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 80347 is: ‘Benzodiazepines; 13 or more.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient specimen, such as blood or urine.
2. The analyst performs a test using a methodology like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate and quantitate the benzodiazepines in the specimen.
3. The test may be quantitative, providing an exact measurement of the substances, or qualitative, indicating whether the specimen is positive or negative for the analyte.
4. The analyst may use specific techniques and equipment to ensure accurate and reliable results.
5. Depending on the purpose of the test, the analyst may follow different protocols for different specimen types.
6. The results of the test are documented and reported to the ordering clinician.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 80347 is ordered by clinicians to determine whether a patient has taken an overdose of benzodiazepines or to assess compliance with a prescribed regimen for conditions like anxiety, seizures, or insomnia. The test may also be used to detect drug abuse or monitor patients who are prescribed these medications.

5. When to use CPT code 80347

CPT code 80347 should be used when a lab analyst measures or detects 13 or more benzodiazepines in a patient specimen. It is important to note that this code is not appropriate for testing one to twelve benzodiazepines, which would require a different code (80346).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 80347, the documentation should include:

• Reason for ordering the test, such as suspected overdose or compliance monitoring
• Type of specimen collected (blood, urine, etc.)
• Methodology used for testing, such as HPLC
• Results of the test, including the presence or amount of benzodiazepines
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 80347, ensure that the test is performed by a qualified lab analyst and that the appropriate specimen type is used. It is important to follow the specific guidelines for reporting this code and to consider any additional codes that may be necessary based on the clinical scenario. Modifier TC may be used for facility reporting, and modifier 26 for professional reporting, if applicable.

8. Historical information

CPT 80347 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 of 13 or more benzodiazepines in a patient’s blood sample to determine if they have taken an overdose of tranquilizers.
2. A clinician orders a urine drug screening to assess a patient’s compliance with a prescribed regimen of benzodiazepines for anxiety management.
3. A lab analyst performs a quantitative test on a blood specimen to measure the exact amount of benzodiazepines in a patient with insomnia.
4. A clinician suspects that a patient is abusing benzodiazepines and orders a qualitative test on a urine sample to confirm the presence of these substances.
5. A lab analyst uses HPLC to separate and quantitate the benzodiazepines in a patient’s urine specimen, providing a comprehensive analysis of the tranquilizers present.
6. A clinician orders a confirmatory test on a blood sample to verify the presence of 13 or more benzodiazepines in a patient with a history of seizures.
7. A lab analyst performs a qualitative test on a urine specimen to determine if a patient is compliant with their prescribed regimen of benzodiazepines for anxiety management.
8. A clinician suspects that a patient has taken an overdose of benzodiazepines and orders a quantitative test on a blood sample to measure the exact amount of these substances.
9. A lab analyst uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative tests to assess the presence and amount of benzodiazepines in a patient’s urine specimen.
10. A clinician orders a confirmatory test on a blood sample to detect the presence of 13 or more benzodiazepines in a patient with a history of substance abuse.