How To Use CPT Code 85547

CPT 85547 describes the evaluation of mechanical fragility in red blood cells (RBCs) when subjected to a mechanical stress. 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 85547?

CPT 85547 can be used to evaluate the degree of hemolysis, or breakdown, in red blood cells (RBCs) when they are exposed to a mechanical stress. This code is used when a lab analyst performs the necessary steps to apply a mechanical stress to a sample of RBCs and assesses the proportion of hemolysis that occurs. Various devices, such as a Bio-pump®, a hemoresistometer, or steel beads, can be used to create the mechanical stress.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 85547 is: ‘Mechanical fragility, RBC.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst collects a sample of the patient’s blood.
2. The lab analyst applies a mechanical stress to the sample of red blood cells (RBCs) using a device such as a Bio-pump®, a hemoresistometer, or steel beads.
3. The lab analyst evaluates the degree of hemolysis, or breakdown, in the RBCs caused by the mechanical stress.
4. The lab analyst records the results of the evaluation.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 85547 is typically ordered by clinicians when they need to assess the mechanical fragility of a patient’s red blood cells (RBCs). This test is used to evaluate the proportion of hemolysis that occurs when the RBCs are subjected to a mechanical stress. It is important to note that different mechanical stress devices may yield different test results, and there is currently no standard established for this test. Some major payers consider CPT 85547 obsolete or unreliable and may not cover it.

5. When to use CPT code 85547

CPT code 85547 should be used when a clinician needs to evaluate the mechanical fragility of a patient’s red blood cells (RBCs) by subjecting them to a mechanical stress. This code is used to assess the degree of hemolysis, or breakdown, that occurs in the RBCs during the evaluation process.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 85547, the following documentation is typically required:

• Indication for the test and the need to evaluate the mechanical fragility of the patient’s red blood cells (RBCs)
• Details of the mechanical stress device used
• Date and time of the test
• Results of the evaluation, including the degree of hemolysis observed
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 85547, ensure that the test is performed by a lab analyst and that the necessary documentation is provided. It is important to note that some payers may cover the collection of the specimen separately using a code such as 36415 for venipuncture. Additionally, consider the guidelines provided by the payer regarding the coverage of CPT 85547, as some may consider it obsolete or unreliable.

8. Historical information

CPT 85547 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 performs a mechanical fragility test on a patient’s red blood cells (RBCs) using a Bio-pump®.
2. A hematology technician evaluates the degree of hemolysis in a patient’s RBCs when subjected to a mechanical stress using steel beads.
3. A lab scientist assesses the mechanical fragility of a patient’s RBCs using a hemoresistometer.
4. A medical technologist records the results of a mechanical fragility test on a patient’s RBCs using a Bio-pump®.
5. A lab analyst evaluates the proportion of hemolysis in a patient’s RBCs caused by a mechanical stress using steel beads.
6. A hematology technician performs a mechanical fragility test on a patient’s RBCs using a hemoresistometer.
7. A lab scientist assesses the degree of hemolysis in a patient’s RBCs when subjected to a mechanical stress using a Bio-pump®.
8. A medical technologist records the results of a mechanical fragility test on a patient’s RBCs using steel beads.
9. A lab analyst evaluates the mechanical fragility of a patient’s RBCs using a hemoresistometer.
10. A hematology technician assesses the proportion of hemolysis in a patient’s RBCs caused by a mechanical stress using a Bio-pump®.