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The CPT® Code 80162 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure total digoxin levels in the blood. Digoxin, commonly known by its brand name Lanoxin, is classified as a cardiac glycoside, a type of medication that plays a crucial role in managing various heart conditions. It works by regulating sodium and potassium levels within cardiac cells, which is essential for proper heart function. This medication is primarily prescribed for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and congestive heart failure. By increasing the strength of cardiac muscle contractions, digoxin enhances cardiac output, effectively lowering heart rate and venous pressure. However, it is important to note that digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window, meaning that the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. In cases of digoxin toxicity, antidotal treatment is available, such as Digibind or Digoxin Immune FAB. The total digoxin test (CPT® Code 80162) measures both the inactive digoxin that is bound to Fab fragments and the active free digoxin in the serum. This test is primarily utilized to monitor patients undergoing digoxin therapy and is recommended to be performed 8-12 hours after an oral dose to ensure accurate measurement. Additionally, there is a related test for free digoxin (CPT® Code 80163), which is used to assess breakthrough digoxin toxicity, particularly in patients with renal failure, and to guide further treatment decisions. The testing process involves obtaining a blood sample, with total digoxin levels measured using immunoassay techniques, while free digoxin levels are determined through ultrafiltration followed by electrochemiluminescent immunoassay.
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The total digoxin test (CPT® Code 80162) is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for measuring total digoxin levels involves several key steps:
After the blood sample has been collected and sent for analysis, there are generally no specific post-procedure care requirements for the patient. However, it is important for healthcare providers to monitor the patient for any signs of digoxin toxicity, especially if the patient is on digoxin therapy. Results from the total digoxin test will guide further treatment decisions, including adjustments to medication dosages if necessary. Patients should be advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results and any potential changes to their treatment plan.
| Short Descr | ASSAY OF DIGOXIN TOTAL | Medium Descr | DRUG SCREEN QUANTITATIVE DIGOXIN TOTAL | Long Descr | Digoxin; total | 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) | No | 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 | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 235 - Other Laboratory |
| 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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. | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | 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. | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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. | 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. | 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. | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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 | 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 | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician |
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| 2015-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium description changed per AMA 2013 corrections document dated January 25, 2013. |
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
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