Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Spectrophotometry is a widely utilized analytical technique that plays a crucial role in various scientific fields, including chemistry, biochemistry, physics, material and chemical engineering, and clinical diagnostics. This method operates on the principle of measuring the amount of light absorbed by molecules, allowing for the detection and quantification of specific analytes within a sample. The CPT® Code 84311 specifically refers to the application of spectrophotometry for the quantitative analysis of various substances found in blood and body fluids. This includes important analytes such as cholesterol, phospholipids, hemoglobin, porphyrins, adenosine deaminase, aromatic primary amines, arylsulfatase A, chymotrypsin, and bilirubin. The versatility of this technique makes it essential for diagnosing and monitoring a range of medical conditions, as it provides valuable information regarding the biochemical composition of bodily fluids.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The use of CPT® Code 84311 is indicated for the quantitative analysis of various analytes in blood and body fluids. This procedure is performed to assess and monitor specific biochemical markers that are critical for diagnosing and managing a range of medical conditions. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 84311 involves the following steps, which are critical for ensuring accurate and reliable results in the analysis of the specified analytes:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing testing with CPT® Code 84311 typically involves monitoring for any immediate reactions to the blood draw, such as bruising or discomfort at the puncture site. Patients may be advised to hydrate adequately to facilitate further testing if required. The results of the spectrophotometric analysis will be documented and communicated to the healthcare provider, who will interpret the findings in the context of the patient's overall health and medical history. Follow-up actions may include additional testing or treatment based on the results obtained from the analysis.
| Short Descr | SPECTROPHOTOMETRY | Medium Descr | SPECTROPHOTOMETRY ANALYT NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED | Long Descr | Spectrophotometry, analyte not elsewhere specified | 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 | 2 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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. | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | G8 | Monitored anesthesia care (mac) for deep complex, complicated, or markedly invasive surgical procedure | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 1993-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1993. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.