2025 CPT code 82077
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory - Chemistry Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Quantitative test for alcohol (ethanol) in a specimen (excluding urine and breath) using immunoassay or enzymatic methods.
Modifiers may apply depending on the specific circumstances of service, including location of service or if the test is repeated. Refer to the AMA CPT® manual and payer guidelines for specific modifier usage rules.
Medical necessity is established by the physician's clinical judgment based on the patient's presentation and the need to assess for alcohol intoxication or other alcohol-related conditions.The test is often medically necessary in cases of suspected intoxication, altered mental status, or legal proceedings.
The clinical responsibility lies with the laboratory analyst who performs the test and reports the results. The ordering physician is responsible for appropriate clinical interpretation and patient care based on these results. The provider obtaining the specimen may bill separately for the collection procedure.
In simple words: This lab test measures the amount of alcohol in a sample of your blood or other body fluid (except urine or breath). The lab uses special methods to find the alcohol level.
This CPT code represents a quantitative laboratory test to determine the level of alcohol (ethanol) in patient specimens.Acceptable specimens include blood, saliva, gastric aspirate, tears, and others excluding breath and urine. The testing methodology employed is either immunoassay (e.g., IA, EIA, ELISA, RIA, EMIT, FPIA) or enzymatic methods (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase).The test measures the concentration of ethanol and does not differentiate between ethanol and other alcohols like methanol or isopropanol.Note that this test is distinct from code 80320, which performs definitive drug testing for various alcohols and their metabolites.
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. The physician orders an alcohol test to assess for intoxication., A patient is admitted to the hospital with altered mental status.The physician orders an alcohol test to rule out alcohol poisoning., A patient is undergoing forensic toxicology testing as part of a legal proceeding.A sample is sent to the lab to quantify alcohol levels using 82077.
* Physician's order specifying the test.* Specimen type and collection time.* Laboratory report indicating the method used and the quantitative result.
** Payers may have specific requirements for documentation and coding.Always refer to the payer's specific guidelines for reimbursement information.This code should only be used for quantitative alcohol testing.Qualitative tests should not utilize this code.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: Information not available. RVUs vary based on geographic location and payer.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a laboratory test, not a surgical procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable. This is a complete laboratory test.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available.Fee schedules vary widely based on payer, location, and contract.
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Toxicology, Forensic Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Urgent Care Facility, Emergency Room - Hospital, Laboratory