Summary & Overview
CPT 82775: Galactose-1-Phosphate Uridyl Transferase Activity Assay
CPT code 82775 identifies a laboratory assay that quantifies galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) activity in blood. Clinically, this test confirms suspected galactosemia after an abnormal newborn screen and supports biochemical monitoring for patients managed with dietary therapy. The assay is important nationally because early diagnosis and monitoring of galactosemia can prevent serious metabolic complications in infants and guide long-term dietary management.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for CPT code 82775, typical sites of service, and the role of the test in newborn screening and follow-up care. The publication also covers billing considerations, common modifiers, and payer coverage patterns where available. Policy and reimbursement updates relevant to laboratory enzymatic testing are summarized to provide operational context for laboratories and clinicians.
This content is written for a national audience and aims to clarify the clinical purpose of the test, the service environment, and the primary payer landscape affecting claims and reimbursement practices.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82775 measures galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) activity in a blood sample. This laboratory assay is used most often after a newborn screen returns an abnormal result suggestive of galactosemia, and it can also be used to monitor biochemical response or compliance in patients on a dietary therapy regimen.
Service type: Laboratory test — enzymatic assay of GALT.
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory; specimens are typically collected from neonatal or pediatric patients and processed in certified laboratory facilities.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A newborn infant with an abnormal state newborn screen for galactosemia is referred to the hospital laboratory for confirmatory testing. The infant is 3 days old, has poor feeding and mild jaundice. The clinician orders measurement of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase activity from a heel-stick or venous blood sample to confirm classic galactosemia. The specimen is collected into appropriate anticoagulant tube, labeled with patient identifiers and sent with a requisition noting the abnormal screen result and relevant clinical history. The laboratory performs the enzymatic assay, documents results in the laboratory information system, and releases a report to the ordering pediatrician and the newborn metabolic disorder specialist. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the care team initiates dietary galactose restriction and schedules serial monitoring tests to assess enzyme activity or compliance. This test may also be used in older infants or children on dietary therapy to monitor compliance or enzyme activity changes.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the laboratory professional’s interpretation component applies (rare for enzyme assay). |
TC |