2025 CPT code 84078
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Laboratory - Chemistry Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures Feed
Measures the level of heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in a patient specimen.
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances of service.Refer to the CPT manual for modifier guidelines.
Medical necessity for 84078 is established when the clinician requires additional information to differentiate the source of elevated alkaline phosphatase levels.This is often necessary to guide further diagnostics and treatment for conditions such as liver disease or bone disorders.
The clinical responsibility lies with the ordering physician who interprets the results of the heat-stable alkaline phosphatase test in the context of the patient's clinical presentation and other diagnostic findings to determine the appropriate course of action.
In simple words: This lab test checks a blood sample to measure a specific type of alkaline phosphatase enzyme.The test helps doctors figure out why a person's alkaline phosphatase levels might be high, which can help diagnose issues with the liver or bones.
This CPT code (84078) represents a laboratory test that quantitatively measures the level of heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in a patient specimen, typically serum.The procedure involves heating the specimen to inactivate the heat-labile fraction of ALP, leaving only the heat-stable portion for measurement.This helps differentiate between sources of elevated ALP, such as bone versus liver.The measurement is typically performed using colorimetric or spectrophotometric methods.
Example 1: A patient presents with elevated alkaline phosphatase levels.The physician orders 84078 to determine if the elevation is due to liver or bone disease. Heat-stable ALP would indicate a liver source., A patient with suspected bone metastasis undergoes testing.84078 is used to assess the heat-stable ALP fraction, helping to differentiate between bone-related and liver-related causes of elevated total ALP., A patient has symptoms suggestive of a bile duct obstruction.The physician utilizes the heat-stable ALP test (84078) as part of the diagnostic workup, along with other imaging studies, to assess liver and biliary function.
* Physician's order specifying the test.* Patient demographics and relevant medical history.* Specimen collection details, including date, time, and source.* Test results with units of measurement and reference ranges.* Interpretation of the results in the context of the patient's overall clinical picture.
** The interpretation of 84078 results should always be considered in conjunction with other clinical findings and laboratory data.The test alone may not be sufficient to definitively diagnose a specific condition.
- Revenue Code: T1H
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:* Gastroenterology* Oncology* Hematology* Pathology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital, Laboratory