How To Use CPT Code 84480

CPT 84480 describes the measurement of total T3 in a patient’s blood. 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 84480?

CPT 84480 can be used to measure the total T3 levels in a patient’s blood. This code is used when a lab analyst performs the necessary steps to mix the patient’s blood with specific substances to measure the total T3. Total T3 includes more than 99 percent of T3 in the body, which is bound to protein and acts as a reserve for free T3, the active form that helps control thyroid function. The test may use methods such as immunoassay, where levels of total T3 antigens react with reagent antibodies.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 84480 is: ‘Triiodothyronine T3; total (TT-3)’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst performs the technical lab steps to mix the patient’s blood with specific substances to measure total T3.
2. The test may use methods such as immunoassay, where levels of total T3 antigens react with reagent antibodies.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 84480 can be ordered by clinicians to help diagnose thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease, which produce increased total T3 levels, and Hashimoto’s disease, which produces decreased total T3 levels. It is not limited to testing for a specific condition.

5. When to use CPT code 84480

CPT code 84480 should be used when a clinician orders the measurement of total T3 levels in a patient’s blood to aid in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. It is important to note that CPT 84480 is specifically for measuring total T3 and not free T3 or reverse T3.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 84480, the documentation should include the reason for ordering the test, the specific method used to measure total T3, and the results of the test.

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 84480, it is important to ensure that the test is performed by a lab analyst and that the necessary steps are followed to measure total T3. It is also important to note that some payers may pay separately for collecting the specimen using a code such as 36415 for venipuncture.

8. Historical information

CPT 84480 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 clinician orders CPT 84480 to measure total T3 levels in a patient’s blood to help diagnose hyperthyroidism.
2. A patient with suspected Graves’ disease undergoes CPT 84480 to measure total T3 levels.
3. CPT 84480 is performed on a patient with Hashimoto’s disease to measure decreased total T3 levels.
4. A clinician orders CPT 84480 to measure total T3 levels in a patient’s blood as part of a comprehensive thyroid panel.
5. A patient with symptoms of thyroid dysfunction undergoes CPT 84480 to measure total T3 levels.
6. CPT 84480 is performed on a patient with a family history of thyroid disorders to assess their thyroid function.
7. A clinician orders CPT 84480 to monitor the effectiveness of thyroid medication in a patient.
8. A patient with unexplained weight loss undergoes CPT 84480 to measure total T3 levels.
9. CPT 84480 is performed on a patient with symptoms of fatigue and lethargy to assess their thyroid function.
10. A clinician orders CPT 84480 to measure total T3 levels in a patient’s blood during a routine check-up.