CPT® Code 83857

The CPT® Code 83857 refers to a laboratory test that measures the levels of methemalbumin in the blood. Methemalbumin is an abnormal complex formed when albumin, a protein that helps maintain blood volume and pressure, binds with heme, a component of hemoglobin. This complex is typically associated with certain blood disorders, particularly hemolytic and hemorrhagic conditions, where there is destruction of red blood cells or significant bleeding. The presence of methemalbumin can impart a distinctive brown color to the plasma, which is a key indicator of these underlying disorders. To perform this test, a blood sample is collected through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is separately reportable. The analysis of the serum or plasma is conducted using a technique called spectrophotometry, which measures the amount of light absorbed by the sample at specific wavelengths, allowing for the quantification of methemalbumin levels in the blood.