Summary & Overview
CPT 82384: Catecholamines with Fractionation, Epinephrine/Norepinephrine/Dopamine
CPT code 82384 represents laboratory testing for catecholamines with fractionation, measuring epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine from a 24-hour urine collection or plasma sample. This assay is clinically relevant for diagnosing and monitoring disorders related to excessive catecholamine production, such as pheochromocytoma and certain neuroendocrine or autonomic disorders. Nationally, accurate coding of this test supports appropriate clinical decision-making and billing transparency for specialized biochemical analyses.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage considerations and common modifiers used in laboratory billing, while noting that specific payer policies can vary.
Readers will learn the clinical context for ordering CPT code 82384, typical sites of service where this testing is performed, and the elements that influence billing and reimbursement for laboratory specialty tests. The summary includes benchmarks for utilization and coding practice trends where available, and highlights policy considerations that affect laboratory testing workflows and claims processing. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82384 measures catecholamines with fractionation, specifically quantifying epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The test is typically performed on a 24-hour urine collection or a plasma sample to evaluate catecholamine production.
Service type: Laboratory — biochemical analysis of catecholamines with fractionation
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory, outpatient clinic, hospital laboratory, or inpatient setting where urine or plasma samples are collected and analyzed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45–60-year-old adult referred to endocrinology for evaluation of suspected catecholamine-secreting tumor (pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma) after presenting with episodic hypertension, palpitations, severe headaches, diaphoresis, or unexplained tachycardia. The clinical workflow begins with outpatient history, physical exam, and measurement of plasma free metanephrines or a 24-hour urine collection for fractionated catecholamines and metanephrines. For CPT 82384, a 24-hour urine sample or plasma specimen is collected per laboratory protocol, labeled with patient identifiers and collection period, and sent to a clinical chemistry laboratory. The analyst performs fractionation for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine to quantify catecholamine levels. Results are reviewed by the ordering clinician (often an endocrinologist or primary care physician); abnormal elevations prompt biochemical confirmation, repeat testing if needed, medication review (e.g., interfering drugs), and imaging (CT/MRI or functional scans) for tumor localization. Typical sites of service include outpatient clinics, hospital inpatient units, emergency departments for acute presentations, and independent clinical laboratories that process endocrine assays. Specimen handling and timing (resting state, off interfering medications when possible) are important for accurate interpretation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component |