How To Use CPT Code 81232

CPT 81232 describes the analysis of common variants of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6. 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 81232?

CPT 81232 can be used to describe the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, specifically *2A, *4, *5, *6. This code is used when a lab analyst performs the technical steps to extract nucleic acids, amplify the gene, and detect the target genes using a specimen such as blood. The analysis of these common variants is often ordered by clinicians to evaluate therapeutic drug dosing for certain medications, as the DPYD gene is involved in the metabolism of drugs like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and can impact toxicity.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 81232 is: ‘DPYD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) (eg, 5-fluorouracil/5-FU and capecitabine drug metabolism), gene analysis, common variant(s) (eg, *2A, *4, *5, *6)’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs technical steps to extract nucleic acids from a specimen, such as blood.
2. The extracted nucleic acids are amplified, increasing the quantity of the gene for analysis.
3. The lab analyst detects the target genes, such as the common variants of the DPYD gene (*2A, *4, *5, *6), using methods like nucleic acid probes.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 81232 is used when analyzing the common variants of the DPYD gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6. This analysis is often ordered by clinicians to evaluate therapeutic drug dosing for medications like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine. The impact of these common variants on drug metabolism can affect the toxicity of these medications.

5. When to use CPT code 81232

CPT code 81232 should be used when a lab analyst performs the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6. This code is appropriate when evaluating therapeutic drug dosing for medications like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine. It should not be used for other gene analyses or variants.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 81232, the following documentation is required:

• Indication of the need for the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene
• Specific common variants analyzed, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6
• Date of the analysis
• Start and end time of the analysis
• Methodology used for the analysis
• Results of the analysis
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the analysis

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 81232, ensure that the analysis is performed by a lab analyst. It is important to report this code only for the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting this code with other codes.

8. Historical information

CPT code 81232 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2018. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, including *2A, *4, *5, *6, to evaluate therapeutic drug dosing for a patient receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy.
2. The analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6, is performed by a lab analyst to assess the potential toxicity of capecitabine in a patient.
3. A clinician orders the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, including *2A, *4, *5, *6, to determine the appropriate dosage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for a patient with cancer.
4. The lab analyst analyzes the common variants of the DPYD gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6, to assess the patient’s risk of adverse drug reactions to certain medications.
5. By analyzing the common variants of the DPYD gene, including *2A, *4, *5, *6, the lab analyst helps the clinician determine the optimal therapeutic drug dosing for a patient undergoing chemotherapy.
6. A patient’s DNA sample is analyzed by a lab analyst to identify the common variants of the DPYD gene, such as *2A, *4, *5, *6, which can impact the metabolism of certain medications.
7. The lab analyst performs the analysis of common variants of the DPYD gene, including *2A, *4, *5, *6, to assist the clinician in determining the appropriate drug dosage for a patient with a specific genetic profile.