Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesTherapeutic Drug AssaysCPT cpt-80178-lithium-quantitative-assay-lab
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 80178: Quantitative Lithium Assay

    CPT code 80178 describes a laboratory quantitative assay for lithium performed by a lab analyst to measure the concentration of lithium in a patient specimen; this is a therapeutic drug monitoring test used in management of manic-depressive (bipolar) disorders. Service type: clinical laboratory test / therapeutic drug monitoring. Typical site of service: clinical laboratory or hospital lab where specimens are analyzed by laboratory personnel.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: B-Hemolytic Streptococcus Testing, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance Assays, Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage Criteria.

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 80178 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 80178 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or other mood disorder receiving lithium therapy. The clinician orders a 80178 serum lithium level to monitor therapeutic and toxic ranges during initiation, dose adjustment, or routine maintenance. The patient presents to an outpatient laboratory or hospital phlebotomy station after instructions regarding timing of the blood draw (commonly a trough level, drawn 12 hours post-dose when applicable). The specimen is logged, processed by the laboratory technologist, and the technical analysis quantifies serum lithium concentration. Results are reported to the ordering clinician for interpretation alongside clinical status, renal function tests, and concomitant medications. Typical site of service: outpatient laboratory, hospital outpatient phlebotomy, or inpatient hospital laboratory when monitoring occurs during admission. Service type: clinical laboratory quantitative drug assay, therapeutic drug monitoring.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    36415Collection of venous blood by venipunctureOften performed immediately before 80178 to obtain the serum specimen for lithium quantitation.
    80053Comprehensive metabolic panelCommonly ordered alongside lithium levels to assess renal function and electrolytes that affect lithium handling.
    84484Troponin; quantitativeOccasionally ordered in overdose or toxicity cases to evaluate cardiac effects when clinically indicated (contextual supportive testing).
    81002Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopyMay be ordered to evaluate volume status or renal concentrating ability when assessing lithium levels.
    80305Drug confirmation, testing for presence of drugs of abuse (not quantified)May be part of broader therapeutic monitoring panels when adherence or interactions are a concern.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    95Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207Q00000XFamily Medicine PhysicianFamily Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    163WR0400XRehabilitation Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    207QP0002XPhysician Nutrition Specialist (Family Medicine)A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of primary nutritional diseases (e.g., undernutrition, overnutrition, and genetic or acquir…
    3747P1801XPersonal Care AttendantAn individual who provides assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, activities of daily living as specified in the plan of care. …
    163WL0100XLactation Consultant (Registered Nurse)Nursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    D50.9Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified
    D64.9Anemia, unspecified
    E03.9Hypothyroidism, unspecified
    E11.9Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications
    E78.5Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
    F06.0Psychotic disorder with hallucinations due to known physiological condition
    F06.8Other specified mental disorders due to known physiological condition
    F07.0Personality change due to known physiological condition
    F20.9Schizophrenia, unspecified
    F31.2Bipolar disorder, current episode manic severe with psychotic features

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Infectious Disease1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    B-Hemolytic Streptococcus TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) — Coverage Criteria for Testing and Resistance AssaysOscar Health2026-10-01
    Hepatitis Testing (A, B, C, D) Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Lyme Disease Testing Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pathogen Panel TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diagnostic Testing of Common Sexually Transmitted InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Vector-Borne InfectionsOscar Health2026-10-01
    Coronavirus Testing in the Outpatient SettingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testing for Diagnosis of Active or Latent TuberculosisOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-80143-ACETAMINOPHEN-QUANTITATIVE-SERUM-ASSAY

    CPT 80143: Acetaminophen Quantitative Assay

    CPT-80145-ADALIMUMAB-LEVEL-ASSAY-THERAPEUTIC-DRUG-MONITORING

    CPT 80145: Adalimumab Quantitative Drug Level Assay

    CPT-80150-AMIKACIN-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY-THERAPEUTIC-DRUG-MONITORING

    CPT 80150: Amikacin Quantitative Serum Level

    CPT-80151-AMIODARONE-QUANTITATIVE-SERUM-ASSAY

    CPT 80151: Amiodarone Quantitative Drug Level Assay

    CPT-80155-CAFFEINE-LEVEL-TESTING

    CPT 80155: Caffeine Level Quantification

    CPT-80156-CARBAMAZEPINE-TOTAL-LEVEL-LAB-ASSAY

    CPT 80156: Carbamazepine Total Level (Serum)

    CPT-80157-FREE-CARBAMAZEPINE-ASSAY

    CPT 80157: Free Carbamazepine Quantitative Assay

    CPT-80158-CYCLOSPORINE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY-LAB

    CPT 80158: Cyclosporine Quantitation, Laboratory

    CPT-80159-CLOZAPINE-LEVEL-ASSAY-THERAPEUTIC-DRUG-MONITORING

    CPT 80159: Clozapine Level Measurement

    CPT-80161-CARBAMAZEPINE-EPOXIDE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

    CPT 80161: Carbamazepine 10,11-Epoxide Level, Quantitative

    Showing 1–10 of 87

    • More pages

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.