How To Use CPT Code 82657

CPT 82657 describes the measurement of enzyme activity in blood cells, cultured cells, or tissue using a nonradioactive substrate. 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 82657?

CPT 82657 can be used to measure the enzyme activity within blood cells, cultured cells, or tissue using a nonradioactive substrate. This code is specifically for enzymatic activity tests that are not already listed as separate procedures.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 82657 is: ‘Enzyme activity in blood cells, cultured cells, or tissue, not elsewhere specified; nonradioactive substrate, each specimen.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst quantitatively measures the enzyme activity in cells, including those from tissue, using a nonradioactive substrate.
2. This method utilizes a substrate that is non-radioactive and acts as a substance for the enzyme to act upon.
3. The procedure is similar to an immunoassay but specifically measures the enzyme activity inside the cell.
4. Various specimen types can be used, including leukocytes, red cells, platelets, macrophages, and nerve cells.
5. If the test is performed on cultured cells, the culture technique is included in the procedure.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 82657 is used for enzyme activity testing in blood cells, cultured cells, or tissue when a nonradioactive substrate is used. This test can be performed on various specimen types, including leukocytes, red cells, platelets, macrophages, and nerve cells. It is important to note that this code should only be used for enzymatic activity tests that are not already listed as separate procedures.

5. When to use CPT code 82657

CPT code 82657 should be used when measuring enzyme activity in blood cells, cultured cells, or tissue using a nonradioactive substrate. It is important to ensure that the test being performed is not already listed as a separate procedure. If the test involves the use of a radioactive substrate, a different CPT code should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 82657, the following documentation should be included:

• Identification of the specific enzyme being measured
• Details of the specimen type used (blood cells, cultured cells, or tissue)
• Methodology used, including the nonradioactive substrate
• Date and time of the test
• Results of the enzyme activity measurement
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 82657, ensure that the test is performed using a nonradioactive substrate and that it is not already listed as a separate procedure. It is important to follow the specific documentation requirements for this code. If multiple enzymes are identified and quantitated from the same specimen, the billing unit is limited to one unit per specimen.

8. Historical information

CPT 82657 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1999. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst measures the enzyme activity in blood cells using a nonradioactive substrate.
2. Enzyme activity in cultured cells is quantitatively measured using a nonradioactive substrate by a lab analyst.
3. The lab analyst measures the enzyme activity in tissue using a nonradioactive substrate.
4. Enzyme activity in red cells is measured using a nonradioactive substrate by a lab analyst.
5. A lab analyst measures the enzyme activity in nerve cells using a nonradioactive substrate.
6. Enzyme activity in platelets is quantitatively measured using a nonradioactive substrate by a lab analyst.
7. The lab analyst measures the enzyme activity in macrophages using a nonradioactive substrate.
8. Enzyme activity in blood cells is measured using a nonradioactive substrate by a lab analyst.
9. A lab analyst quantitatively measures the enzyme activity in cultured cells using a nonradioactive substrate.
10. Enzyme activity in tissue is measured using a nonradioactive substrate by a lab analyst.