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 82175 refers to laboratory testing specifically for arsenic, a toxic element that can be found in various environmental sources. This testing can be conducted on multiple biological specimens, including blood, urine, other body fluids, hair, or nails. The presence of arsenic in the body can indicate exposure to this element, which is known to have harmful health effects. It is important to note that arsenic levels can be influenced by dietary factors, such as the consumption of shellfish, as well as the use of certain medications that contain iodine and various dietary or nutritional supplements. To perform the test, a blood sample is typically collected through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is separately reportable. The analysis of the blood sample is conducted using quantitative inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to assess recent exposure to arsenic. In cases where chronic exposure is suspected, urine, hair, or nail samples may be analyzed using quantitative high-pressure liquid chromatography in conjunction with quantitative ICP-MS. Additionally, other body fluids can also be evaluated using these advanced testing methods to determine arsenic levels accurately.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The laboratory testing for arsenic (CPT® Code 82175) is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for testing arsenic levels involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:
After the arsenic testing procedure, patients may be advised on the next steps based on the results. If arsenic levels are found to be elevated, further medical evaluation and intervention may be necessary. Patients should be monitored for any symptoms of arsenic toxicity, and healthcare providers may recommend follow-up testing or treatment options as appropriate. It is also important for patients to discuss any recent dietary habits or medication use that could affect test results, as these factors may influence the interpretation of arsenic levels in the body.
| Short Descr | ASSAY OF ARSENIC | Medium Descr | ASSAY OF ARSENIC | Long Descr | Arsenic | 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 | 206 - Microscopic examination (bacterial smear, culture, toxicology) |
| 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 | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 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. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.