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The CPT® Code 83993 refers to the measurement of calprotectin in a fecal sample. Calprotectin is a protein that binds calcium and is predominantly found in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body's immune response. When there is inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, neutrophils migrate into the bowel lumen, leading to an increase in calprotectin levels in the stool. Therefore, measuring calprotectin levels can provide valuable insights into the presence of inflammatory diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Elevated levels of calprotectin in feces serve as a significant indicator of inflammation, helping healthcare providers differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functional bowel disorders, which may not involve inflammation. The test is conducted using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, a widely used laboratory method that allows for the sensitive detection and quantification of proteins in biological samples.
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The measurement of fecal calprotectin is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for measuring fecal calprotectin involves several key steps that ensure accurate results. First, a random stool sample is collected from the patient. This sample should be obtained in a manner that minimizes contamination and preserves the integrity of the specimen. Once the sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, the fecal sample undergoes processing to extract the calprotectin. The measurement is performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, which involves adding specific antibodies that bind to calprotectin. The bound calprotectin is then quantified, allowing for the determination of its concentration in the stool sample. This quantitative measurement is crucial for interpreting the results in the context of potential gastrointestinal inflammation.
After the fecal calprotectin test is performed, the results are typically available within a few days. Healthcare providers will review the calprotectin levels in conjunction with the patient's clinical history and other diagnostic tests to make informed decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment. If elevated levels of calprotectin are detected, further evaluation may be warranted to confirm the presence of inflammatory bowel disease or to rule out other gastrointestinal conditions. Patients may be advised on follow-up testing or additional diagnostic procedures based on the results of the calprotectin measurement.
| Short Descr | ASSAY FOR CALPROTECTIN FECAL | Medium Descr | ASSAY OF CALPROTECTIN FECAL | Long Descr | Calprotectin, fecal | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | QW | Clia waived test | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Medium Descriptor changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2008. |
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