CPT® Code 82248

The CPT® Code 82248 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure direct bilirubin levels in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that is produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs). When RBCs are destroyed, hemoglobin is released and subsequently metabolized into bilirubin. This process results in two forms of bilirubin: unconjugated (non-water soluble) and conjugated (direct). Unconjugated bilirubin is transported to the liver bound to albumin, where it undergoes a transformation to become conjugated by attaching to sugar molecules, thus becoming water soluble. This conjugated form, known as direct bilirubin, can then be excreted from the liver into the small intestine, where it is further processed and ultimately eliminated from the body in feces as stercobilin. The total bilirubin level in the blood is the aggregate of both conjugated (direct) and unconjugated bilirubin. Testing for direct bilirubin, as indicated by CPT® Code 82248, is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions, including liver disorders, hemolytic anemia, and physiological jaundice in newborns. The test is typically performed on a blood sample, which can be obtained through venipuncture or heel stick in infants. Additionally, other bodily fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, may also be collected for total bilirubin testing. The analysis of serum and/or plasma is conducted using quantitative spectrophotometry, a method that measures the concentration of bilirubin in the sample.