How To Use CPT Code 82677

CPT 82677 describes the measurement of estriol, a weak estrogen hormone, in serum, urine, or placental fluid using a methodology such as radioimmunoassay. 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 82677?

CPT 82677 can be used to measure the level of estriol, a weak estrogen hormone, in serum, urine, or placental fluid. This code is used when a lab analyst quantitates estriol using a methodology such as radioimmunoassay, which involves the use of a gamma-radioactive tagged isotope for precise measurement using a gamma counter.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 82677 is: ‘Estriol.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst measures the level of estriol in serum, urine, or placental fluid using a methodology such as radioimmunoassay.
2. A gamma-radioactive tagged isotope is used for precise measurement, and a gamma counter is used to obtain the results.
3. Clinicians order estriol tests on mothers during pregnancy to assess maternal health and the integrity of the placenta.
4. Low levels of estriol may indicate maternal problems such as diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal abnormalities.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 82677 is used when clinicians order estriol tests on mothers during pregnancy to assess maternal health and the integrity of the placenta. Low levels of estriol may indicate maternal problems such as diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal abnormalities. The test can be performed on serum, urine, or placental fluid samples.

5. When to use CPT code 82677

CPT code 82677 should be used when clinicians order estriol tests on mothers during pregnancy to assess maternal health and the integrity of the placenta. It is important to use this code when measuring the level of estriol in serum, urine, or placental fluid using a methodology such as radioimmunoassay.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 82677, the following documentation is required:

• Indication for the estriol test, such as maternal health assessment or evaluation of placental integrity
• Type of sample used (serum, urine, or placental fluid)
• Methodology used for measurement, such as radioimmunoassay
• Date and time of the test
• Results of the estriol measurement
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 82677, ensure that the test is performed by a lab analyst using a methodology such as radioimmunoassay. The test can be performed on serum, urine, or placental fluid samples. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT 82677 with other codes.

8. Historical information

CPT 82677 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst measures the level of estriol in serum to assess maternal health during pregnancy.
2. A clinician orders an estriol test on urine samples to evaluate the integrity of the placenta in a pregnant patient.
3. A lab analyst performs an estriol test on placental fluid to assess the risk of fetal abnormalities in a pregnant patient.
4. A clinician orders an estriol test on serum samples to monitor the progress of a pregnant patient with diabetes.
5. A lab analyst measures the level of estriol in urine samples to evaluate the risk of preeclampsia in a pregnant patient.
6. A clinician orders an estriol test on placental fluid to assess the risk of fetal abnormalities in a pregnant patient.
7. A lab analyst performs an estriol test on serum samples to monitor the progress of a pregnant patient with diabetes.
8. A clinician orders an estriol test on urine samples to evaluate the risk of preeclampsia in a pregnant patient.
9. A lab analyst measures the level of estriol in placental fluid to assess the risk of fetal abnormalities in a pregnant patient.
10. A clinician orders an estriol test on serum samples to monitor the progress of a pregnant patient with diabetes.