Summary & Overview
CPT 83080: Beta–hexosaminidase A and B Enzyme Assay
CPT code 83080 designates a laboratory assay measuring beta–hexosaminidase A and B enzyme activity, most commonly performed on serum specimens to evaluate for rare lysosomal storage disorders such as Tay–Sachs and Sandhoff disease. The test has clinical importance for diagnosis, carrier screening in families with a history of these conditions, and in some specialized newborn or metabolic workups. Nationally, this code maps to specialized clinical chemistry services delivered in hospital or independent clinical laboratories and carries implications for coverage policies and laboratory billing practices. Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical purpose of the test, typical sites of service, common modifier usage, and the payer landscape covered. The summary also outlines what to expect in terms of coding context and clinical relevance, and flags where input data was not provided. Data not available in the input: associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line details.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 83080 measures beta–hexosaminidase A and B enzyme activity, typically performed on a serum specimen. This laboratory test assesses the amount of the enzymes that are deficient in neurometabolic disorders such as Tay–Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease, conditions that cause accumulation of cellular waste products and progressive central nervous system degeneration.
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Service type: Specialized clinical chemistry enzyme assay
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A pediatric neurology clinic evaluates an infant with developmental delay, hypotonia, exaggerated startle reflex, and progressive motor regression. The neurologist orders a laboratory test measuring beta-hexosaminidase A and B activity to evaluate for lysosomal storage disorders such as Tay–Sachs disease or Sandhoff disease. A serum specimen (or leukocyte sample) is collected in the outpatient phlebotomy area; the specimen is labeled and transported to the clinical chemistry/molecular diagnostics laboratory. The lab analyst performs enzymatic assay for 83080 and documents enzyme activity levels in the laboratory information system. Results are routed to the ordering clinician and incorporated into genetic counseling and confirmatory testing workflow (e.g., HEXA gene sequencing or referral to geneticist). Typical site of service: outpatient clinic, hospital-based outpatient laboratory, or reference diagnostic laboratory. Typical patient: infant or young child with neurodevelopmental regression, family history of carrier status, or positive newborn screening prompting confirmatory enzymatic testing.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional interpretation component if the laboratory provides a consultative interpretation separate from technical testing. |