How To Use CPT Code 84144

CPT 84144 describes the measurement of progesterone levels in a patient specimen, such as serum, saliva, or urine. 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 84144?

CPT 84144 can be used to measure the levels of progesterone in a patient specimen, such as serum, saliva, or urine. This code is used when a lab analyst performs a test to evaluate the progesterone level in the specimen. Progesterone is a hormone produced primarily by the adrenal gland, the corpus luteum following ovulation, and by the placenta during pregnancy.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 84144 is: ‘Progesterone (not proinsulin)’. This code is used to measure the levels of progesterone in a patient specimen, such as serum, saliva, or urine. Note that for proinsulin, a different code (84206) should be used.

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a patient specimen, such as serum, saliva, or urine.
2. The lab analyst performs a test on the specimen to measure the levels of progesterone.
3. The test may involve an immunoassay that uses radioactive or luminescent markers with progesterone-specific antibodies to determine the progesterone level in the specimen.
4. The lab analyst records the progesterone level and prepares a report for the healthcare provider.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 84144 is used when there is a need to measure the levels of progesterone in a patient specimen. This test may be ordered as part of fertility treatment to determine whether ovulation occurred. It can also be used to evaluate placental function during pregnancy or as part of an evaluation for adrenal or testicular cancers.

5. When to use CPT code 84144

CPT code 84144 should be used when there is a clinical need to measure the levels of progesterone in a patient specimen. It is important to ensure that the test is medically necessary and ordered by a healthcare provider. This code should not be used for testing proinsulin levels, as a different code (84206) should be used for that purpose.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 84144, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Reason for ordering the progesterone test
• Type of specimen collected (serum, saliva, urine)
• Date and time of specimen collection
• Results of the progesterone test
• Signature of the healthcare provider ordering the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 84144, ensure that the test is performed by a lab analyst and that the progesterone level is measured in a patient specimen. It is important to use the correct code for proinsulin testing (84206) and not to report CPT 84144 for that purpose. Some payers may pay separately for collecting the specimen using a code such as 36415. Report CPT 84144 once for each specimen if multiple specimens are submitted from different sources or at different times.

8. Historical information

CPT 84144 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 healthcare provider orders a progesterone test to evaluate placental function during pregnancy.
2. A patient undergoing fertility treatment has a progesterone test to determine whether ovulation occurred.
3. A healthcare provider orders a progesterone test as part of an evaluation for adrenal or testicular cancers.
4. A patient with irregular menstrual cycles has a progesterone test to assess hormone levels.
5. A healthcare provider orders a progesterone test to monitor hormone therapy in a patient.
6. A patient with symptoms of hormonal imbalance undergoes a progesterone test to aid in diagnosis.
7. A healthcare provider orders a progesterone test to assess the effectiveness of a medication that affects hormone levels.
8. A patient with a suspected hormone-secreting tumor has a progesterone test as part of the diagnostic process.
9. A healthcare provider orders a progesterone test to monitor hormone levels during menopause.
10. A patient with a history of miscarriages undergoes a progesterone test to assess hormone levels during pregnancy.