How To Use CPT Code 82042

CPT 82042 describes the quantification of albumin in a fluid source specimen other than blood, serum, plasma, or urine. 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 82042?

CPT 82042 can be used to quantify the amount of albumin in a fluid source specimen that is not blood, serum, plasma, or urine. This code is used when a lab analyst measures and reports the quantity of albumin in the specimen using colorimetric or nephelometric methodology.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 82042 is: ‘Albumin; other source, quantitative, each specimen.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a measured, timed, or random specimen that is a fluid source other than blood, serum, plasma, or urine.
2. The analyst uses colorimetric or nephelometric methodology to mix the specimen with reagents and quantitate the albumin.
3. The measured quantity of albumin is reported.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 82042 is used when quantifying albumin in a fluid source specimen other than blood, serum, plasma, or urine. It is important to note that this code should not be used for albumin in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or for albumin in whole blood, serum, or plasma. For those cases, different codes should be used.

5. When to use CPT code 82042

CPT code 82042 should be used when quantifying albumin in a fluid source specimen other than blood, serum, plasma, or urine. It is not appropriate to use this code for albumin in CSF or for albumin in whole blood, serum, or plasma. Ensure that the specimen meets the criteria specified in the code description before reporting CPT 82042.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 82042, the documentation should include:

• Identification of the fluid source specimen
• Methodology used for quantification (colorimetric or nephelometric)
• Quantity of albumin reported

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 82042, ensure that the specimen meets the criteria specified in the code description. Do not report this code for albumin in CSF or for albumin in whole blood, serum, or plasma. Be cautious not to confuse CPT 82042 with other codes that represent albumin quantification in different sources. Review the documentation requirements and ensure that all necessary information is included in the claim.

8. Historical information

CPT 82042 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been some historical changes to the code, including code additions and code changes. The most recent change occurred on January 1, 2018, when the code description was updated to specify ‘other source’ for the fluid specimen.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst quantifying albumin in a fluid source specimen from a patient’s joint fluid sample.
2. An analyst measuring the amount of albumin in a fluid source specimen obtained from a patient’s peritoneal fluid.
3. Quantifying albumin in a fluid source specimen collected from a patient’s pleural fluid sample.
4. An analyst reporting the quantity of albumin in a fluid source specimen obtained from a patient’s ascites fluid.
5. Measuring the amount of albumin in a fluid source specimen collected from a patient’s synovial fluid sample.
6. Quantifying albumin in a fluid source specimen obtained from a patient’s pericardial fluid.
7. An analyst reporting the quantity of albumin in a fluid source specimen collected from a patient’s amniotic fluid sample.
8. Measuring the amount of albumin in a fluid source specimen obtained from a patient’s cyst fluid.
9. Quantifying albumin in a fluid source specimen collected from a patient’s pleural effusion.
10. An analyst reporting the quantity of albumin in a fluid source specimen obtained from a patient’s peritoneal lavage fluid.