Summary & Overview
CPT 82180: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Level, Plasma
CPT code 82180 denotes a laboratory test measuring plasma ascorbic acid (vitamin C) levels. Clinically, the assay identifies nutritional deficiency and conditions such as scurvy and malabsorption syndromes; it is used in both outpatient and inpatient laboratory settings. Nationally, accurate coding of vitamin C testing supports clinical diagnosis of deficiency states and appropriate laboratory billing and reporting practices.
Key payers typically referenced in coverage and reimbursement discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. This publication provides a concise reference to the clinical context of CPT code 82180, common sites of service, and the payer landscape relevant to laboratory services.
Readers will learn the clinical purpose and service setting for CPT code 82180, what payers are commonly involved in laboratory reimbursement for this test, and where to find further operational details. Data not available in the input: detailed payer-specific reimbursement benchmarks, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 pairings, and service line mappings.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82180 reports measurement of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) level, typically performed on plasma. The test quantifies circulating vitamin C to assess nutritional status and detect deficiency states such as scurvy, malabsorption syndromes, and other conditions of nutritional deficiency.
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Service type: Clinical laboratory chemistry test (vitamin/antioxidant level measurement)
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory; specimen collection may occur in outpatient clinics or inpatient settings where plasma sampling is performed.
Data not available in the input for payers, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient presents to an outpatient clinic with progressive fatigue, easy bruising, and reports of poor dietary intake after recent bariatric surgery. The clinician suspects vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) or malabsorption and orders a plasma ascorbic acid level. The patient goes to the outpatient laboratory where a phlebotomist obtains a blood sample, which is sent to the clinical chemistry laboratory. The lab analyst performs quantitative measurement of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on plasma using a validated assay. Results are reported in mg/dL or µmol/L and routed to the ordering clinician for interpretation and treatment planning. Typical workflow steps include clinician order entry, specimen collection (phlebotomy), specimen transport, laboratory analysis, result verification by a laboratory technologist, and reporting to the ordering provider. Common clinical indications include suspected nutritional deficiency, malabsorption, unexplained anemia or bruising with poor intake, monitoring after bariatric surgery, or evaluation of patients with chronic alcohol use or severe dietary restriction.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional interpretation or oversight of the laboratory testing separate from the technical component. |
TC |