2025 CPT code 82009
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Ketone Bodies Chemistry Procedures Feed
Qualitative determination of ketone bodies (e.g., acetone, acetoacetic acid, beta-hydroxybutyrate) in serum or other body fluids.
Modifiers may apply depending on the place of service, the type of laboratory, and other circumstances. Consult the CPT manual and local payer guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for a qualitative ketone body test is established when there is clinical suspicion of conditions associated with ketogenesis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, starvation ketosis, or other metabolic disorders.The test helps guide treatment decisions and monitor patient status.
Laboratory personnel perform the qualitative test using a manual reagent stick/tablet or an automated instrument. The results are interpreted and reported by qualified laboratory professionals.
In simple words: This lab test checks for ketone bodies in your blood or other bodily fluids. Ketone bodies are produced when your body uses fat for energy instead of sugar.This test is often done for people with diabetes, dehydration, or those on special diets. The test shows if ketone bodies are present, not how much.
This CPT code represents the qualitative determination of ketone bodies, including acetone, acetoacetic acid, and beta-hydroxybutyrate, in a serum or other appropriate body fluid sample.The test determines the presence or absence of these substances, not their specific quantities.Methods may involve manual reagent strips or automated instrumentation, often relying on the nitroprusside reaction for detection.The test is frequently ordered for patients with diabetes, dehydration, or those following diets that cause the body to utilize fat as its primary energy source.
Example 1: A diabetic patient presents with hyperglycemia and symptoms suggestive of diabetic ketoacidosis. A qualitative ketone test is ordered on a serum sample to assess the severity of ketoacidosis., A patient experiencing unexplained weight loss and nausea undergoes a metabolic workup, including a qualitative serum ketone body test, to rule out metabolic disorders., A patient on a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet is monitoring their ketone levels at home using a urine test strip but seeks confirmation from a clinical lab using a serum sample.
* Physician's order specifying the test (qualitative ketone bodies).* Patient demographics and relevant clinical information.* Specimen type (serum, urine, or other fluid) and collection date and time.* Method used for ketone detection (manual or automated).* Results of the qualitative test (positive or negative).
** False positive results may occur due to certain drugs or vitamin C. False negative results can also occur, and the level of beta-hydroxybutyrate may not be detected initially.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Endocrinology, Diabetes, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital, Clinical Laboratory, Urgent Care Facility