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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Don't Miss Specific CCP Code

Published on Wed Apr 05, 2006

Question: When a physician orders cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody IgG, should we use a general-method code such as CPT 83516 ? 


Oregon Subscriber
Answer: Prior to Jan. 1, you had to use a general code such as 83516 (Immunoassay for analyte other than infectious agent antibody or infectious agent antigen, qualitative or semiquantitative; multiple step method) because CPT did not provide a more specific code. But now you should report new code 86200 (Cyclic citrullinated peptide [CCP], antibody) for the test.

The lab method for the CCP test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for IgG antibodies. The specimen is serum or plasma.

Physicians can use anti-CCP to detect early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or to aid in the diagnosis of patients who are seronegative RA. Because CCP is highly sensitive and specific, it may allow RA detection even before the patient becomes symptomatic and may help to distinguish RA from other forms of arthritis.
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