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Official Description

Ferritin

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 82728 refers to the laboratory test for measuring ferritin levels in the blood. Ferritin is a crucial intracellular protein that plays a significant role in iron metabolism by storing iron and regulating its release into the bloodstream. This controlled release is essential for maintaining the body's iron balance, preventing both iron overload and deficiency. The measurement of ferritin levels is particularly important in clinical settings for diagnosing and monitoring various conditions. Elevated ferritin levels may indicate excess iron storage, which can occur in diseases such as hemochromatosis or as a consequence of multiple blood transfusions. Conversely, decreased ferritin levels are indicative of iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia and other health issues. The test is performed by obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, which is a separate reportable procedure. The serum obtained from the blood sample is then analyzed using a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay, a sensitive and specific method for determining ferritin concentration in the serum.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The ferritin test (CPT® Code 82728) is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of iron levels is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this test:

  • Elevated Ferritin Levels Ferritin levels may be evaluated to identify conditions associated with excess iron storage, such as hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron from the diet.
  • Multiple Blood Transfusions Patients who have received multiple blood transfusions may have elevated ferritin levels due to increased iron storage from the transfused red blood cells.
  • Decreased Ferritin Levels The test is also performed to assess for iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia and other related health issues.

2. Procedure

The procedure for measuring ferritin levels involves several key steps that ensure accurate results. First, a qualified healthcare professional will perform venipuncture to obtain a blood sample from the patient. This step is critical as it allows for the collection of serum, which is necessary for the subsequent analysis. The blood sample is then processed to separate the serum from the cellular components. Once the serum is obtained, it is subjected to a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay. This advanced testing method utilizes specific antibodies that bind to ferritin molecules in the serum, allowing for the precise measurement of ferritin concentration. The results of this assay provide valuable information regarding the patient's iron storage status and can aid in diagnosing conditions related to iron metabolism.

  • Step 1: Venipuncture A healthcare professional performs venipuncture to collect a blood sample from the patient, which is essential for the test.
  • Step 2: Serum Separation The collected blood sample is processed to separate the serum from the cellular components, ensuring that only the serum is used for testing.
  • Step 3: Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay The serum is analyzed using a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay, which measures the concentration of ferritin in the serum.

3. Post-Procedure

After the ferritin test is completed, there are generally no specific post-procedure care requirements for the patient. However, it is important for the healthcare provider to review the test results in conjunction with the patient's clinical history and other laboratory findings. If the ferritin levels are found to be abnormal, further evaluation may be necessary to determine the underlying cause, whether it be iron overload or deficiency. Patients may be advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results and any potential next steps in their care.

Short Descr ASSAY OF FERRITIN
Medium Descr ASSAY OF FERRITIN
Long Descr Ferritin
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.
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
Q4 Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption
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
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
AY Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
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.
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
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.
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
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
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
33 Preventive services: when the primary purpose of the service is the delivery of an evidence based service in accordance with a us preventive services task force a or b rating in effect and other preventive services identified in preventive services mandates (legislative or regulatory), the service may be identified by adding 33 to the procedure. for separately reported services specifically identified as preventive, the modifier should not be used.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
97 Rehabilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 97 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a rehabilitative service. rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GU Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, routine notice
HZ Funded by criminal justice agency
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q3 Live kidney donor surgery and related services
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
QA Prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts is less than 1 liter per minute (lpm)
QW Clia waived test
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
TR School-based individualized education program (iep) services provided outside the public school district responsible for the student
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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.
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