Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Choose 83500 for Activity
Question: We performed an antithrombin III activity assay for a patient taking heparin. How should we code this? Iowa Subscriber Answer: The correct procedure code is 85300 (Clotting inhibitors or anticoagulants; antithrombin III, activity). Clinicians may order this test for patients taking heparin, because antithrombin III is a strong thrombin inhibitor, and heparin augments that action. You may also receive orders for this test to help diagnose acquired or congenital antithrombin III deficiency. Reduced antithrombin III activity may be associated with adverse effects such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Tip: Make sure you distinguish the test for antithrombin III activity from the test for antithrombin III antigen, which you should report as 85301 (Clotting inhibitors or anticoagulants; antithrombin III, antigen assay).
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