How To Use CPT Code 82725
CPT 82725 describes the measurement of nonesterified fatty acids, also known as free fatty acids, in the serum. 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 82725?
CPT 82725 can be used to measure the levels of nonesterified fatty acids in the serum. Nonesterified fatty acids are a type of fat that is protein-bound and represent a small percentage of the total fatty acids in the serum. This code is used when a lab analyst quantitates the nonesterified fatty acids using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, a complex instrument that ionizes the sample and subjects it to an electron beam. The electric field then separates the sample’s mass, and a sensitive detector identifies and quantitates the fat particles.
2. Official Description
The official description of CPT code 82725 is: ‘Fatty acids, nonesterified.’
3. Procedure
- The lab analyst collects a serum sample from the patient.
- The serum sample is prepared for analysis.
- The lab analyst uses liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry to ionize the sample and subject it to an electron beam.
- An electric field separates the sample’s mass.
- A sensitive detector identifies and quantitates the nonesterified fatty acids in the serum.
4. Qualifying circumstances
CPT 82725 is used to measure nonesterified fatty acids in the serum. This test is ordered by clinicians to monitor diabetes and diagnose tumors that produce excessive amounts of free fatty acids. Lipoactive hormones such as thyrotropin, glucagon, epinephrine, and other hormones can cause the release of excessive amounts of nonesterified fatty acids. It is important to note that this test is performed on serum, not on a fecal specimen.
5. When to use CPT code 82725
CPT code 82725 should be used when there is a need to measure the levels of nonesterified fatty acids in the serum. It is appropriate to bill this code when the lab analyst performs the analysis using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. This code should not be used for other types of fatty acid tests or for tests performed on fecal specimens.
6. Documentation requirements
To support a claim for CPT 82725, the documentation should include:
- Indication for the test, such as monitoring diabetes or diagnosing tumors
- Methodology used, such as liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry
- Date and time of the test
- Results of the analysis
- Signature of the lab analyst performing the test
7. Billing guidelines
When billing for CPT 82725, ensure that the test is performed on serum and not on a fecal specimen. This code should not be reported with other codes for qualitative or quantitative fecal fats or lipids. It is important to use the appropriate code for the specific type of test being performed. For example, use CPT code 82705 for qualitative fecal fats or lipids, CPT code 82710 for quantitative fecal fats or lipids, and CPT code 82715 for quantitative fecal fat differential.
8. Historical information
CPT 82725 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
- A lab analyst measuring the nonesterified fatty acids in the serum of a patient with diabetes to monitor their condition.
- A lab analyst quantitating the nonesterified fatty acids in the serum of a patient suspected to have a tumor that produces excessive amounts of free fatty acids.
- A lab analyst performing the analysis to measure the levels of nonesterified fatty acids in the serum of a patient with elevated lipoactive hormones.
- A lab analyst using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry to identify and quantitate the nonesterified fatty acids in the serum of a patient with abnormal lipid metabolism.
- A lab analyst performing the test to measure the nonesterified fatty acids in the serum of a patient with a suspected metabolic disorder.
