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Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker that plays a crucial role in the early detection and therapeutic monitoring of bacterial infections and sepsis. It is a peptide that is produced by various tissues in response to bacterial toxins and inflammatory cytokines. The presence of elevated levels of procalcitonin in the blood serum serves as a specific indicator of both the existence and the severity of a bacterial infection or sepsis. This test is particularly valuable in clinical settings as it aids healthcare providers in distinguishing between bacterial infections and viral infections or other forms of nonbacterial inflammation. The process of obtaining a blood sample for this test is performed through venipuncture, which is a separately reportable procedure. The measurement of procalcitonin levels is conducted using immunofluorescence techniques, which allow for accurate determination of serum concentrations of this important marker.
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Procalcitonin testing is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for procalcitonin testing involves several key steps that ensure accurate measurement of the biomarker in the blood serum.
After the procalcitonin test is completed, the patient may experience minimal discomfort at the venipuncture site, which typically resolves quickly. There are no specific post-procedure care instructions required for the patient, but they may be advised to drink fluids to help replenish any lost volume. The results of the procalcitonin test are usually available within a short timeframe, allowing for timely clinical decision-making regarding the diagnosis and management of bacterial infections or sepsis.
| Short Descr | PROCALCITONIN (PCT) | Medium Descr | PROCALCITONIN (PCT) | Long Descr | Procalcitonin (PCT) | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2010-01-01 | Added | - |
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