Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: Our physician ordered testing of a patient’s potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphate levels. Can I use the electrolyte panel code 80051 along with 83210, 83735, and 84100 for the tests not included in the panel?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: In this situation, you should not bill the electrolyte testing with 80051 (Electrolyte panel; This panel must include the following: Carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) (82374) Chloride (82435) Potassium (84132) Sodium (84295)) along with the codes for the tests not included in the panel.

That’s because you should only report panel codes when the lab performs all the components of the panel. The electrolyte panel code 80051 includes one test, carbon dioxide, which your provider did not order, and which should not be billed as a part of the panel service if not ordered and performed.

Instead, in this situation, you should bill each test separately, using the following:

• 84132 (Potassium; serum, plasma or whole blood)
• 84295 (Sodium; serum, plasma or whole blood)
• 82310 (Calcium; total)
• 82435 (Chloride; blood)
• 83735 (Magnesium)
• 84100 (Phosphorus inorganic (phosphate))