How To Use CPT Code 82554

CPT 82554 describes the measurement of creatine kinase (CK) isoforms 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 82554?

CPT 82554 can be used to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a patient specimen. These isoforms are different variants or subdivisions of the CPK isoenzymes. The test is typically performed on body fluids like blood, urine, plasma, serum, or different body tissues and muscles. The measurement of CK isoforms is important in the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions such as muscular dystrophy, rhabdomyolysis, cerebrovascular accident, and myocardial infarction. It can also indicate other conditions like viral myositis, hypothyroidism, polymyositis, or malignant hypothermia. Conversely, a low level of CK may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis and alcoholic liver disease.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 82554 is: ‘Measurement of creatine kinase (CK) isoforms in a patient specimen.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs a test to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in the patient specimen.
2. The specimen can be body fluids like blood, urine, plasma, serum, or different body tissues and muscles.
3. The lab analyst may use methodologies such as electrophoresis (EP) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate and quantitate the isoforms.
4. Electrophoresis involves the separation of the analyte from the mixture using an electric field, while high-performance liquid chromatography uses pressurized liquid to separate the analyte in a specially designed column.
5. The lab analyst quantitates the amount of creatine kinase isoforms present in the specimen using a sensitive detector.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 82554 is performed when there is a need to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a patient specimen. This test is typically ordered to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as muscular dystrophy, rhabdomyolysis, cerebrovascular accident, and myocardial infarction. It can also be used to assess viral myositis, hypothyroidism, polymyositis, malignant hypothermia, rheumatoid arthritis, and alcoholic liver disease. The test is performed on body fluids like blood, urine, plasma, serum, or different body tissues and muscles.

5. When to use CPT code 82554

CPT code 82554 should be used when there is a need to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a patient specimen. It is typically ordered by healthcare providers to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions. This code should be used when performing the specific test for creatine kinase isoforms measurement.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 82554, the following documentation is required:

• Patient information and identification
• Date and time of the test
• Type of specimen used
• Methodology used for the measurement (e.g., electrophoresis or high-performance liquid chromatography)
• Results of the test, including the amount of creatine kinase isoforms measured
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 82554, ensure that the test is performed to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a patient specimen. Follow the appropriate coding guidelines and ensure accurate documentation to support the claim. It is important to note that CPT 82554 should not be reported with CPT codes 82553, as they are separate tests for different components of creatine kinase.

8. Historical information

CPT 82554 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1993. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst measures the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a blood specimen to aid in the diagnosis of muscular dystrophy.
2. A healthcare provider orders a test to measure the creatine kinase isoforms in a urine sample to monitor a patient with rhabdomyolysis.
3. A lab analyst performs a test to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a plasma specimen to assess a patient who had a cerebrovascular accident.
4. A healthcare provider requests a measurement of creatine kinase isoforms in a serum sample to aid in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
5. A lab analyst quantitates the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a muscle tissue sample to assess a patient with viral myositis.
6. A healthcare provider orders a test to measure the creatine kinase isoforms in a blood specimen to evaluate a patient with hypothyroidism.
7. A lab analyst performs a test to measure the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a muscle tissue sample to aid in the diagnosis of polymyositis.
8. A healthcare provider requests a measurement of creatine kinase isoforms in a blood specimen to assess a patient with malignant hypothermia.
9. A lab analyst quantitates the amount of creatine kinase isoforms in a serum sample to aid in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
10. A healthcare provider orders a test to measure the creatine kinase isoforms in a liver tissue sample to evaluate a patient with alcoholic liver disease.