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The CPT® Code 84155 refers to a laboratory test that measures the total protein levels in a sample of serum, plasma, or whole blood, excluding methods that utilize refractometry. This test is essential for assessing the overall protein content in the blood, which is crucial for various physiological functions. Total protein levels are typically reported alongside the albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio, providing insight into the balance between these two major protein types. In a healthy individual, albumin levels are generally slightly higher than globulin levels. The total protein test is instrumental in monitoring a patient's nutritional status and can aid in the diagnosis of several medical conditions, particularly those affecting the kidneys and liver. Elevated total protein levels may suggest the presence of chronic inflammation, viral infections such as hepatitis, HIV, or conditions like multiple myeloma. Conversely, decreased protein levels can indicate issues such as malnutrition or malabsorption syndromes, including celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. The test requires a blood sample, which is obtained through a venipuncture procedure that is reported separately. The analysis of the blood sample is performed using quantitative spectrophotometry, a method that quantifies the concentration of proteins in the sample.
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The total protein test (CPT® Code 84155) is indicated for various clinical scenarios, particularly when assessing a patient's health status or diagnosing specific conditions. The following are the primary indications for performing this test:
The procedure for conducting the total protein test involves several key steps to ensure accurate results. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the total protein test is completed, there are generally no specific post-procedure care requirements for the patient. However, it is common for patients to experience minor discomfort or bruising at the venipuncture site, which typically resolves on its own. Patients are usually advised to resume normal activities immediately following the test. The healthcare provider will discuss the results with the patient during a follow-up appointment, where any necessary further evaluations or treatments will be determined based on the total protein levels and overall clinical context.
| Short Descr | ASSAY OF PROTEIN SERUM | Medium Descr | PROTEIN XCPT REFRACTOMETRY SERUM PLASMA/WHL BLD | Long Descr | Protein, total, except by refractometry; serum, plasma or whole blood | 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) | Yes | 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. | QW | Clia waived test | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main 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. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | 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 | 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. | AY | Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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 | 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 | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | 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. |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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