Summary & Overview
CPT 80177: Levetiracetam Level Measurement
CPT code 80177 denotes a laboratory assay to determine levetiracetam drug levels in a patient's specimen, a key component of therapeutic drug monitoring for patients on this antiepileptic medication. Nationally, such monitoring supports safe dosing, identifies subtherapeutic or toxic concentrations, and informs clinical decision-making for seizure management. Payers commonly involved in coverage and claims for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise overview of what CPT code 80177 represents, the clinical context for levetiracetam monitoring, and the typical sites where the service is provided. The publication outlines common billing considerations, payer coverage patterns, and benchmark references where available. It also highlights policy and coding updates relevant to laboratory therapeutic drug monitoring and summarizes typical documentation that supports medical necessity. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 80177 describes a laboratory test that measures the level of levetiracetam in a patient's specimen. This test is a therapeutic drug monitoring assay used to assess serum or plasma concentration of the antiepileptic medication levetiracetam.
Service type: Laboratory testing — therapeutic drug monitoring
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old patient with well-established focal epilepsy is seen in the neurology clinic for routine therapeutic drug monitoring after a recent dose adjustment of levetiracetam. The patient reports intermittent breakthrough seizures despite adherence to medication and occasional sedation. The clinician orders a serum levetiracetam level to assess therapeutic concentration and guide dosing. A phlebotomy appointment is scheduled at the outpatient laboratory; a serum or plasma specimen is collected, labeled, and sent to the clinical chemistry/toxicology laboratory. The laboratory performs quantitative analysis using immunoassay or chromatographic methods to determine the levetiracetam concentration. Results are reported in mg/L (or µg/mL) and routed to the ordering clinician, who interprets the level in the context of seizure control, side effects, renal function, and concomitant medications, then documents the plan in the medical record.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
90 | Reference (outside) laboratory | Use when the test is performed by an outside reference laboratory and billed by the performing lab or when reporting by another lab requires modifier reporting. |
91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test |