Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Test for Gastrin, Not Calcium
Question: Our lab performs a calcium infusion gastrin test with four timed readings for a patient with suspected gastrinoma. Should we bill this as 82331x4?
Answer: No, 82331 (Calcium; after calcium infusion test) is not the correct code for a gastrin test following calcium infusion. Your lab is not testing for serum calcium — you’re testing for gastrin. The correct coding is 82941 (Gastrin) x4.
Background: For patients with suspected gastrinoma, physicians may order a calcium infusion test. The lab measures serum gastrin prior to a calcium infusion, and again at time intervals following infusion with calcium gluconate. An increased gastrin level in the blood following calcium infusion may be a sign of gastrinoma.
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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
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