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Official Description

Blood, occult, by fecal hemoglobin determination by immunoassay, qualitative, feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 82274 refers to a laboratory test designed to detect the presence of occult blood in fecal samples through a qualitative immunoassay method. This test specifically targets human hemoglobin, utilizing goat antibodies to facilitate an antigen-antibody reaction that isolates the hemoglobin from the fecal matter. The immunoassay method is notable for its enhanced accuracy, as it significantly reduces the likelihood of false positive and false negative results that can arise from dietary influences and non-hemorrhagic components present in feces. This increased specificity is particularly beneficial for the detection of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be indicative of serious conditions such as colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The test allows for 1-3 simultaneous determinations, providing a comprehensive assessment of the patient's fecal samples for occult blood, thereby aiding in both diagnosis and monitoring of gastrointestinal health issues.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The CPT® Code 82274 is indicated for use in various clinical scenarios where the detection of occult blood in feces is necessary. The following conditions and symptoms may warrant the performance of this test:

  • Colon Cancer Screening This test is utilized as part of the screening process for colon cancer, helping to identify potential bleeding that may indicate the presence of malignancy.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients with conditions such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis may undergo this test to monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding associated with their disease.
  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding The test is indicated for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as unexplained anemia or changes in bowel habits.

2. Procedure

The procedure for conducting the test under CPT® Code 82274 involves several key steps to ensure accurate results. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Sample Collection Fecal samples are collected from the patient, ensuring that the samples are handled and stored according to laboratory protocols to maintain their integrity.
  • Immunoassay Testing The collected fecal samples are subjected to an immunoassay method, where goat antibodies are introduced to the samples. This step facilitates the isolation of human hemoglobin through an antigen-antibody reaction.
  • Simultaneous Determinations The test allows for 1-3 simultaneous determinations, meaning that multiple samples can be analyzed at once to provide a comprehensive assessment of the presence of occult blood.
  • Result Interpretation After the immunoassay is completed, the results are interpreted qualitatively to determine the presence or absence of occult blood in the fecal samples.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the test coded under CPT® 82274 typically involves providing the patient with the results and any necessary follow-up recommendations. Patients may be advised to discuss the findings with their healthcare provider to determine if further diagnostic procedures, such as colonoscopy, are warranted based on the test results. Additionally, it is important to monitor any symptoms that may arise following the test, especially if the test indicates the presence of occult blood, as this may require further investigation or intervention.

Short Descr ASSAY TEST FOR BLOOD FECAL
Medium Descr BLOOD OCCULT FECAL HGB DETER IA QUAL FECES 1-3
Long Descr Blood, occult, by fecal hemoglobin determination by immunoassay, qualitative, feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations
Status Code Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies)
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 9 - Not Applicable
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
CLIA Waived (QW) Yes
APC Status Indicator Conditionally packaged laboratory tests
Type of Service (TOS) 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 233 - Laboratory - Chemistry and Hematology
QW Clia waived test
90 Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
91 Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q4 Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AY Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
SB Nurse midwife
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2002.
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