Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 82103 refers to the measurement of total Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1A) levels in the blood. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a crucial protein synthesized in the liver, which plays a significant role as a serum protease inhibitor. This protein is essential for protecting various organs, particularly the lungs, from damage caused by proteolytic enzymes, such as elastase, which can lead to tissue destruction. In the absence of adequate levels of Alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is often due to genetic factors, individuals may experience significant organ damage, particularly in the lungs, resulting in conditions like early onset emphysema. The measurement of Alpha-1-antitrypsin levels is particularly important in clinical settings for diagnosing the underlying causes of certain symptoms, such as persistent jaundice or other indications of liver dysfunction. The testing process involves obtaining a blood sample through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is reported separately. The serum obtained from the blood sample is then analyzed using an immunoturbidimetric technique to determine the total levels of Alpha-1-antitrypsin present. This test is often a preliminary step, and if the results indicate lower than normal levels of Alpha-1-antitrypsin, further testing may be warranted to assess the phenotype of the protein, which can provide additional insights into the patient's condition and guide treatment options.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The Alpha-1-antitrypsin total test (CPT® Code 82103) is indicated for several clinical scenarios, particularly when evaluating patients for specific symptoms or conditions. The following are the primary indications for performing this test:
The procedure for measuring total Alpha-1-antitrypsin levels involves several key steps, which are outlined below:
After the procedure, patients may experience minor discomfort at the venipuncture site, which typically resolves quickly. There are no specific post-procedure care instructions provided in the data; however, patients are generally advised to keep the site clean and dry. Results from the Alpha-1-antitrypsin test will be interpreted by the healthcare provider, who may recommend further testing or treatment based on the findings. If the total levels are found to be lower than normal, additional phenotype testing may be indicated to assess the type of Alpha-1-antitrypsin present in the blood.
| Short Descr | ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN TOTAL | Medium Descr | ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN TOTAL | Long Descr | Alpha-1-antitrypsin; 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 | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 233 - Laboratory - Chemistry and Hematology |
| 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. | 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 | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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. |
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.