How To Use CPT Code 80370

CPT 80370 describes the measurement or detection of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants 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 80370?

CPT 80370 can be used to measure or detect the presence of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a patient specimen. This code is used when the lab analyst performs a test to quantify the amount of these relaxants or determine if they are present in the specimen. The test may be quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 80370 is: ‘Skeletal muscle relaxants; 3 or more.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient specimen, typically blood, for testing.
2. The specimen is exposed to a beam of light at a specific wavelength using spectrophotometry.
3. The amount of light absorbed by the specimen after a chemical reaction is measured.
4. The lab analyst quantifies the amount of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in the specimen based on the light absorption.
5. The test may also determine if the specimen is positive or negative for the presence of these relaxants.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 80370 is used when the lab analyst measures or detects three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a patient specimen. This test is not limited to a specific condition and may be ordered to diagnose an overdose or assess patient compliance with a prescribed regimen.

5. When to use CPT code 80370

CPT code 80370 should be used when the lab analyst tests a patient specimen for three or more skeletal muscle relaxants. If the test is for one or two relaxants, CPT code 80369 should be used instead.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 80370, the lab analyst must document the following information:

• Type of specimen collected for testing
• Methodology used, such as spectrophotometry
• Quantitative or qualitative results of the test
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 80370, ensure that the test is performed to measure or detect three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in the patient specimen. It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by the payer regarding billing and reimbursement for this code. Additionally, consider reporting any separate codes for specimen collection, if applicable.

8. Historical information

CPT 80370 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 three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a patient’s blood specimen.
2. A test is performed to detect the presence of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a urine sample.
3. A lab technician quantifies the amount of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a hair specimen.
4. A test is conducted to determine if a patient’s saliva specimen is positive or negative for three or more skeletal muscle relaxants.
5. A lab analyst measures the amount of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a patient’s tissue biopsy.
6. A test is performed to detect the presence of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a cerebrospinal fluid sample.
7. A lab technician quantifies the amount of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a synovial fluid specimen.
8. A test is conducted to determine if a patient’s sweat specimen is positive or negative for three or more skeletal muscle relaxants.
9. A lab analyst measures the amount of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a patient’s oral fluid sample.
10. A test is performed to detect the presence of three or more skeletal muscle relaxants in a stool specimen.