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Official Description

Levetiracetam

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Levetiracetam is a medication classified as an anticonvulsant, primarily utilized in the management of seizure disorders. The CPT® Code 80177 refers to a specific blood test that quantifies the levels of levetiracetam in a patient's bloodstream. This measurement is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure that the patient is receiving an appropriate dosage of the medication, as both subtherapeutic and supratherapeutic levels can lead to inadequate seizure control or increased risk of adverse effects, respectively. The test is performed by obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, which is a standard procedure for collecting blood. The analysis of the blood sample is conducted using a quantitative enzyme immunoassay, a laboratory technique that allows for precise measurement of the drug concentration in serum and/or plasma. In addition to its primary use for seizure disorders, levetiracetam may also be prescribed off-label for various conditions, including neuropathic pain, Tourette's syndrome, autism, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the importance of monitoring its levels in diverse therapeutic contexts.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The blood test for levetiracetam levels is indicated for patients who are prescribed this anticonvulsant medication. The primary indications for performing this test include:

  • Seizure Disorders - To monitor therapeutic levels in patients being treated for epilepsy or other seizure-related conditions.
  • Off-Label Uses - To assess drug levels in patients being treated for conditions such as neuropathic pain, Tourette's syndrome, autism, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and Alzheimer's disease, where levetiracetam may be utilized as part of the treatment regimen.

2. Procedure

The procedure for measuring levetiracetam levels involves several key steps, which are outlined as follows:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation - Prior to the blood draw, the patient may be instructed to avoid taking levetiracetam for a specified period, depending on the clinical scenario and the physician's orders. This ensures that the test results accurately reflect the drug's levels in the bloodstream.
  • Step 2: Venipuncture - A qualified healthcare professional performs venipuncture to obtain a blood sample. This involves the insertion of a needle into a vein, typically in the arm, to draw the necessary volume of blood for testing.
  • Step 3: Sample Handling - The collected blood sample is then processed to separate the serum and/or plasma, which is required for the quantitative enzyme immunoassay analysis. Proper handling and storage of the sample are critical to ensure the integrity of the test results.
  • Step 4: Laboratory Analysis - The serum and/or plasma are subjected to a quantitative enzyme immunoassay, a laboratory technique that quantitatively measures the concentration of levetiracetam in the sample. This method provides accurate and reliable results that inform clinical decision-making.

3. Post-Procedure

After the blood sample has been collected and sent for analysis, there are generally no specific post-procedure care requirements for the patient. However, patients may be advised to drink plenty of fluids to help replenish any lost volume from the blood draw. The results of the levetiracetam level test will typically be reviewed by the prescribing physician, who will use the information to adjust the medication dosage if necessary, ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes while minimizing the risk of side effects.

Short Descr DRUG SCRN QUAN LEVETIRACETAM
Medium Descr DRUG SCREEN QUANTITATIVE LEVETIRACETAM
Long Descr Levetiracetam
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 1
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.
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.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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.
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.
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
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.
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
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
2014-01-01 Added Added
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Description
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