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The CPT® Code 84550 refers to a laboratory test that measures the concentration of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a waste product that results from the natural breakdown of purines, which are substances found in various foods and are also produced by the body. Under normal circumstances, uric acid is filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys and eliminated from the body through urine. However, when the levels of uric acid in the blood become elevated, it can indicate various health issues. Conditions such as kidney disease, certain types of cancer and their treatments, hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, lead poisoning, and hormonal imbalances involving the thyroid or parathyroid glands can lead to increased uric acid levels. Conversely, decreased levels of uric acid may be observed in conditions such as Wilson's disease, inadequate dietary protein intake, and the use of specific medications. The test is performed by obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, which is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into a vein to collect blood. The serum or plasma obtained from the blood sample is then analyzed using quantitative spectrophotometry, a method that measures the amount of uric acid present in the sample.
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The uric acid blood test (CPT® Code 84550) is indicated for the evaluation of various medical conditions and symptoms that may be associated with abnormal uric acid levels. The following are specific indications for performing this test:
The procedure for obtaining a uric acid blood test involves several key steps to ensure accurate results. The first step is to prepare the patient for the venipuncture, which includes explaining the procedure and ensuring that the patient is comfortable. The healthcare provider will then select an appropriate site for venipuncture, typically in the arm, where a vein is easily accessible. After cleaning the area with an antiseptic solution to minimize the risk of infection, a tourniquet may be applied to engorge the vein, making it easier to insert the needle. The provider will then insert a sterile needle into the vein to collect the blood sample. Once the blood is drawn, the needle is removed, and pressure is applied to the site to stop any bleeding. The collected blood is then placed in a suitable container for laboratory analysis. The serum or plasma is separated from the blood cells and tested using quantitative spectrophotometry, a technique that measures the concentration of uric acid in the sample. This method provides precise quantification of uric acid levels, which is essential for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions.
After the uric acid blood test is completed, the patient may be advised to resume normal activities. It is common for the healthcare provider to apply a bandage to the venipuncture site to protect it and prevent bleeding. Patients are typically instructed to monitor the site for any signs of excessive bruising or infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge. If any unusual symptoms occur, the patient should contact their healthcare provider. The results of the uric acid test will be analyzed and reported back to the ordering physician, who will interpret the findings in the context of the patient's overall health and any relevant medical conditions. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results and any necessary further actions or treatments based on the uric acid levels obtained from the test.
| Short Descr | ASSAY OF BLOOD/URIC ACID | Medium Descr | ASSAY OF BLOOD/URIC ACID | Long Descr | Uric acid; 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 |
| QW | Clia waived test | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | X1 | Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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. | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | 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. | 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) | X2 | Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services | 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 | 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. | 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. | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | QP | Documentation is on file showing that the laboratory test(s) was ordered individually or ordered as a cpt-recognized panel other than automated profile codes 80002-80019, g0058, g0059, and g0060. | 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. | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | 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 | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | UH | Services provided in the evening | VP | Aphakic patient | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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