How To Use CPT Code 82077

CPT 82077 describes the quantitative measurement of alcohol (ethanol) in patient specimens using immunoassay or enzymatic methods. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 82077?

CPT 82077 can be used to quantify the level of alcohol (ethanol) in patient specimens, excluding urine and breath, using immunoassay or enzymatic methods. This code is specifically for the detection and measurement of alcohol in various specimens, such as blood, saliva, gastric aspirate, and tears.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 82077 is: ‘Alcohol (ethanol); any specimen except urine and breath, immunoassay (eg, IA, EIA, ELISA, RIA, EMIT, FPIA) and enzymatic methods (eg, alcohol dehydrogenase).’ It is important to note that this code is not used for definitive drug testing for alcohol, which requires a different code (80320).

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs a quantitative test to measure the level of alcohol (ethanol) in the patient specimen.
2. The specimen can be any except urine and breath, such as blood, saliva, gastric aspirate, or tears.
3. The lab analyst uses immunoassay or enzymatic methods to detect and measure the alcohol level in the specimen.
4. Immunoassay involves an antibody/antigen reaction to detect and possibly quantify the alcohol present.
5. Enzymatic methods, such as alcohol dehydrogenase, measure the level of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol using a colorimetric or photometric detection method.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 82077 is used when there is a need to measure the level of alcohol (ethanol) in patient specimens, excluding urine and breath. This test is commonly ordered for medical reasons to determine the blood alcohol level. It is important to note that this test does not definitively identify the type of alcohol present, such as methanol or isopropanol.

5. When to use CPT code 82077

CPT code 82077 should be used when there is a need to quantitatively measure the level of alcohol (ethanol) in patient specimens, excluding urine and breath. This code is not used for definitive drug testing for alcohol, which requires a different code (80320).

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 82077, the following documentation is required:

• Indication of the need for alcohol level measurement in the patient specimen
• Specific specimen used for the test (e.g., blood, saliva, gastric aspirate, tears)
• Date and time of the test
• Method used for the test (immunoassay or enzymatic)
• Results of the test, indicating the level of alcohol detected
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 82077, ensure that the test is performed using immunoassay or enzymatic methods to measure the level of alcohol (ethanol) in patient specimens, excluding urine and breath. It is important to distinguish this code from other related codes, such as 82075 for an alcohol breath test and 80320 for definitive drug testing for alcohols. Additionally, some payers may separately reimburse for specimen collection using a code like 36415.

8. Historical information

CPT 82077 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2021. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst performs an immunoassay to measure the level of alcohol in a patient’s blood specimen.
2. A healthcare provider collects a saliva sample from a patient and sends it to the lab for enzymatic testing to determine the alcohol level.
3. A lab technician analyzes a gastric aspirate specimen using immunoassay to quantify the alcohol present.
4. A lab analyst performs an enzymatic test on a tear sample to measure the alcohol level in a patient.
5. Five additional examples can be provided here, each with a different scenario and specimen type, but they should not include the phrases ‘CPT 82077’ or ‘CPT code 82077’ in the text.