What is the correct CPT code for a suppression study that includes four glucose tests and one human growth hormone test?

CPT Coding for Growth Hormone Suppression Study

For a suppression study that includes four glucose tests and four human growth hormone tests, the appropriate CPT code is 80430. This code specifically represents the comprehensive panel for a growth hormone suppression panel.

Understanding the Suppression Study Components

The suppression study described involves:

• Four glucose measurements (82947 x 4)
• Four human growth hormone measurements (83003 x 4)

When these tests are performed together as part of a standardized endocrine testing protocol, they constitute a specific panel that has its own dedicated CPT code.

Coding Logic

The coding options can be analyzed as follows:

1. Individual Test Coding Approach:

   • Glucose test (82947) x 4 instances
   • Human growth hormone test (83003) x 4 instances

   While technically accurate for describing the individual components, this approach fails to capture that these tests are being performed as part of a standardized endocrine protocol.

2. Panel Code Approach:

   • CPT 80430: Growth hormone suppression panel (glucose, human growth hormone)

   This code specifically describes the panel of tests performed during a growth hormone suppression study, which typically involves sequential measurements of both glucose and human growth hormone levels.

Rationale for Using 80430

The CPT code 80430 was specifically created to represent endocrine evocative/suppression testing panels that include both the glucose and growth hormone measurements 1. This code accurately captures the entire protocol being performed rather than coding each individual test separately.

Using the panel code 80430 is more appropriate than reporting individual test codes (82947 and 83003) multiple times because:

• It properly identifies the purpose of the testing (growth hormone suppression)
• It acknowledges that these tests are performed as part of a standardized protocol
• It avoids potential issues with unbundling services that should be reported together

Important Considerations

• When a specific CPT code exists for a panel or protocol, it should be used instead of individual component codes
• Reporting individual codes when a panel code exists could be considered inappropriate coding
• The panel code 80430 includes all the glucose and growth hormone measurements performed as part of the suppression study

By using CPT code 80430, you ensure accurate coding that properly represents the complete suppression study performed, which is essential for proper reimbursement and clinical documentation.