CPT 82175: Arsenic Level Measurement

CPT code 82175 designates a quantitative laboratory test to measure arsenic levels, a toxic metal of clinical and public health importance. This laboratory procedure is used in clinical toxicology, occupational exposure screening, and emergency evaluation of suspected arsenic poisoning. Nationally, arsenic testing matters for patient safety, workplace exposure monitoring, and public health surveillance because timely detection guides clinical management and public health responses.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of what the code represents, typical sites of service, and the clinical context for ordering arsenic testing. The publication summarizes common billing considerations and the typical service line classification for toxicology/laboratory services. It also outlines where benchmarks and policy updates would be relevant for laboratories and billing teams.

The content provides practical context for billing and coding teams, laboratory managers, and clinicians who order or process toxicology testing. Specific payer coverage policies, reimbursement benchmarks, and claim-edit guidance are presented where available; if particular payer data are not provided, the report notes that data are not available in the input. The focus remains on the clinical purpose of the test and the administrative coding classification as CPT code 82175.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 82175 reports a laboratory measurement of arsenic level in a specimen. Arsenic is a toxic metallic chemical element (symbol As) monitored in clinical toxicology and occupational exposure assessments. The service involves quantitative analysis of arsenic concentration using laboratory methods performed by a clinical laboratory analyst.

Service type: Clinical laboratory toxicology test (quantitative measurement of a toxic metal)
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory; samples may be collected in outpatient clinics, occupational health settings, emergency departments, or inpatient units depending on clinical need.

Clinical Context

A middle-aged patient presents to an occupational health clinic after potential workplace exposure to arsenic-containing dust and fumes. The patient reports nausea, abdominal pain, and paresthesias; baseline vital signs are stable. The clinician orders a quantitative arsenic level to assess for acute or chronic poisoning and to guide management. A phlebotomy or urine specimen is collected following institutional protocol and sent to a clinical laboratory capable of toxicology analysis. The laboratory performs 82175 using appropriate analytic methods (for example, atomic absorption spectrometry or ICP-MS) to measure total arsenic concentration. Results are reported with reference ranges and interpreted by the ordering clinician to confirm exposure, correlate with symptoms, and inform removal from exposure or further chelation therapy if indicated. Typical sites of service include hospital outpatient laboratories, independent clinical laboratories, and occupational health clinics.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`00`	No modifier	Use when no specific modifier applies to the service.
`26`

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207Q00000X`	Pathology & Laboratory Medicine	Clinical laboratory directors who oversee toxicology testing.
`207K00000X`	Clinical Cytogenetics (Laboratory)	Laboratory professionals performing specialized analytic methods (e.g., ICP-MS).
`207L00000X`	Toxicology	Specialists in clinical toxicology and interpretation of arsenic testing.
`363A00000X`	Occupational Medicine	Clinicians ordering arsenic testing after workplace exposure.
`207P00000X`	Clinical Chemistry	Laboratory specialists performing quantitative metal analyses.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`T56.0X1A`	Toxic effect of arsenic and its compounds, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter	Directly indicates acute arsenic poisoning and is a primary reason to perform `82175`.
`T56.0X2A`	Toxic effect of arsenic and its compounds, intentional self-harm, initial encounter	Used when arsenic exposure is suspected as intentional ingestion; guides toxicology testing.
`T56.0X3A`	Toxic effect of arsenic and its compounds, assault, initial encounter	Applied when arsenic exposure results from assault; supports diagnostic testing.
`Z57.8`	Occupational exposure to other hazardous agents	Used in occupational health contexts when workplace arsenic exposure is suspected and testing is ordered.
`R10.9`	Unspecified abdominal pain	Common presenting symptom that may prompt evaluation for arsenic toxicity in the appropriate exposure context.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80061`	Lipid panel	Often ordered in metabolic or baseline evaluations but not specific to arsenic testing; may be part of a broader exposure workup.
`81002`	Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopy	A screening urine test often collected concurrently when urine arsenic measurement is needed to assess specimen and renal function.
`36415`	Collection of venous blood by venipuncture	Commonly performed when a blood specimen is required for `82175`.
`99213`	Office or other outpatient visit, established patient, low to moderate complexity	Typical visit level when ordering toxicology testing for suspected arsenic exposure.
`82310`	Lead; blood	Other heavy metal testing that may be ordered alongside arsenic in occupational exposures to evaluate multiple toxicants.

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Summary & Overview