Summary & Overview
CPT 82585: Cryofibrinogen Quantitative Assay
CPT code 82585 describes a quantitative laboratory assay for cryofibrinogen, an uncommon abnormal form of fibrinogen that can precipitate in plasma at cold temperatures and is associated with select clinical syndromes. Nationally, this specialized coagulation/serum protein test is used to help evaluate atypical clotting disorders, cold-induced symptoms, and certain vasculopathic or hematologic conditions. The code matters because it identifies a low-volume, high-complexity laboratory service with distinct billing and documentation needs.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical purpose of the test, the typical laboratory setting where it is performed, payer coverage context, and the kinds of benchmarks and policy considerations commonly associated with specialized lab codes. The publication highlights billing parameters relevant to laboratory administrators and coding professionals, clarifies typical site-of-service expectations, and summarizes where to look for payer-specific coverage guidance. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82585 measures the amount of cryofibrinogen, an abnormal form of fibrinogen that can precipitate in plasma at low temperatures. The test is a quantitative laboratory assay performed by a clinical laboratory analyst to detect and report cryofibrinogen levels in a patient specimen.
Service type: Laboratory — specialized coagulation/serum protein testing
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A middle-aged adult presents to an outpatient hematology clinic with complaints of episodic purple discoloration and cold-induced pain in the distal extremities, recurrent cutaneous ulcers, and intermittent systemic symptoms such as low-grade fevers and malaise. The clinician suspects a cryofibrinogenemia–related process or a hyperviscosity/coagulopathy disorder and orders specialized laboratory testing.
A blood specimen is collected in the laboratory using appropriate preanalytic handling (kept at 37°C until plasma separation) to preserve cryofibrinogen integrity. The clinical laboratory technologist performs 82585 to measure the amount of cryofibrinogen in the patient plasma. Results are reported to the ordering hematologist or rheumatologist and integrated with clinical assessment, additional coagulation studies, and tests for associated conditions (e.g., infectious, autoimmune, or paraproteinemia workup). Typical sites of service include outpatient hospital laboratories, independent clinical reference laboratories, and hospital inpatient laboratories when evaluation is required for hospitalized patients with thrombotic or inflammatory complications.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when only the professional component of a lab test is billed separately from the technical component. |