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The CPT® Code 83550 refers to a laboratory test known as the Iron Binding Capacity test. This test is specifically designed to evaluate the iron binding capacity of transferrin, which is a crucial protein present in the bloodstream. Transferrin plays a vital role in iron metabolism by binding to iron molecules and facilitating their transport throughout the body. The measurement of iron binding capacity is essential for assessing the body's ability to transport iron, which is critical for various physiological functions, including the production of hemoglobin and overall cellular metabolism. To perform this test, a blood sample is collected through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is a standard method for obtaining blood specimens. The analysis of the serum or plasma obtained from the blood sample is conducted using quantitative spectrophotometry or calculation methods, ensuring accurate measurement of transferrin's capacity to bind iron. This test is often utilized in the diagnosis and management of conditions related to iron deficiency or overload, providing valuable information for healthcare providers in evaluating a patient's iron status.
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The Iron Binding Capacity test (CPT® Code 83550) is performed for several specific indications related to iron metabolism and status in the body. The following conditions may warrant the use of this test:
The procedure for conducting the Iron Binding Capacity test involves several key steps to ensure accurate results. First, a qualified healthcare professional performs venipuncture, which is the process of puncturing a vein to collect a blood sample. This is typically done in a clinical setting, where the patient is seated comfortably, and the area around the chosen vein is cleaned with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection. Once the blood is drawn, it is collected into a sterile tube, which is then labeled appropriately for identification.
After the Iron Binding Capacity test is completed, the patient may experience minimal discomfort at the venipuncture site, which typically resolves quickly. There are generally no specific post-procedure care instructions required for patients, but they may be advised to keep the bandage on the puncture site for a few hours to prevent bleeding. Results from the test are usually available within a few days, and healthcare providers will interpret the findings in conjunction with other clinical information to make informed decisions regarding the patient's iron status and any necessary interventions.
| Short Descr | IRON BINDING TEST | Medium Descr | IRON BINDING CAPACITY | Long Descr | Iron binding capacity | 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 |
| GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | 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. | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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. | 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 | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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. | AY | Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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. | 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. | 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. | AG | Primary physician | 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 | HO | Masters degree level | HZ | Funded by criminal justice agency | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q3 | Live kidney donor surgery and related services | 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 | QR | Prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts is greater than 4 liters per minute (lpm) | QW | Clia waived test | 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 | 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 | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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