2025 CPT code 83018
Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Chemistry Procedures Feed
Quantitative measurement of a specified heavy metal (e.g., arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, antimony, mercury) not having a specific code, for each metal.
Modifiers may be applicable. For example, modifier 91 is used to indicate a repeat laboratory test. Modifier 90 is used when the test is performed by a reference (outside) laboratory.
Medical necessity must be established by documenting clinical signs/symptoms, exposure history, or positive qualitative heavy metal screening results indicating the need for quantitative measurement of specific heavy metals where a specific code is not available.
The laboratory professional performs the technical procedures to determine the quantity of a specified heavy metal present in the specimen. Common methodologies such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) are employed to ionize the sample and quantify the separated ions based on their mass.
In simple words: This test measures the level of a specific heavy metal in your blood or urine. It is used to determine if you have been exposed to a dangerous level of a heavy metal, such as lead or mercury. This test helps determine the right treatment for you.
This code pertains to the quantitative analysis of a specified heavy metal that lacks a dedicated CPT code.The test measures the precise amount of the heavy metal present in a specimen, typically blood or urine. Examples of heavy metals include arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, antimony, and mercury, but the code can be used for other heavy metals not having specific CPT codes. It’s crucial to use an analyte-specific code if one exists, instead of 83018. This test is often ordered after a positive qualitative heavy metal screen or when there's clinical suspicion of heavy metal toxicity or exposure. The results guide treatment decisions, such as chelation therapy.
Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms suggestive of heavy metal poisoning (e.g., fatigue, abdominal pain, neurological issues).A qualitative heavy metal screen (83015) is positive for arsenic. 83018 is then ordered to quantify the level of arsenic in the patient's blood to guide treatment decisions., A child living in an older home is suspected of lead exposure. 83018 is ordered to determine the blood lead level. Note, however, if a specific code exists for quantitative lead measurement, that should be used instead of 83018., A worker in a battery manufacturing plant undergoes routine monitoring for heavy metal exposure.83018 is used to quantify levels of cadmium in the worker's urine.
Documentation should include the specific heavy metal tested, the specimen source (e.g., blood, urine), the reason for testing (e.g., symptoms, exposure history), and the test results.
- Specialties:Occupational Medicine, Medical Toxicology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Independent Laboratory, Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital