CPT® Code 80100

Deleted

A qualitative drug screen is a laboratory procedure designed to detect the presence or absence of multiple drug classes in a specimen using a chromatographic method, as indicated by CPT® Code 80100. This type of drug screening does not measure the quantity or concentration of the drugs; rather, it simply identifies whether specific drugs or drug classes are present in the sample. The specimens used for this testing can include blood serum, urine, saliva, sweat, hair, or other biological materials. The chromatographic method, particularly thin layer chromatography (TLC), is the most commonly employed technique for testing multiple drug classes. In this method, a small amount of the specimen is applied to a plate coated with an organic binder. The plate is then positioned vertically, and the bottom is immersed in a solvent. As the solvent ascends the plate, it carries the components of the specimen with it, allowing for the separation of heavier and lighter substances. The resulting streaks or spots are visualized using ultraviolet light or a chemical spray and are compared against established chromatogram standards to identify specific drug classes. Each procedure performed under this code is reported separately, ensuring accurate documentation and billing for the qualitative analysis conducted.