Summary & Overview
CPT 83615: Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Measurement, Serum
CPT code 83615 identifies a laboratory assay measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, usually in serum. LDH testing is a widely used clinical chemistry test to help detect tissue injury, hemolysis, and certain disease processes; its broad clinical utility makes it a commonly billed laboratory procedure across inpatient and outpatient settings. Nationally, LDH measurement supports diagnostic workflows in hospitals, outpatient laboratories, and emergency departments and influences downstream clinical decision-making.
Key payers covered include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The analysis addresses payer coverage norms and common billing practices for lab enzyme assays under these major payers.
Readers will learn the clinical context of the test, typical sites of service, and what is reported for this CPT code. The publication provides benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement where available, highlights relevant policy updates affecting lab billing, and explains coding considerations for laboratories and billing staff. Data not available in the input will be identified explicitly in sections that require it.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 83615 measures lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, typically performed on a serum sample. LDH is an enzyme present in many tissues — notably the liver, kidney, heart, and red blood cells — and its level is used as a nonspecific marker of tissue damage or hemolysis.
Service type: Clinical chemistry/serum enzyme assay
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old adult presents to the outpatient clinic with progressive fatigue, mild right upper quadrant discomfort, and abnormal liver function tests on basic metabolic panel. The clinician orders a serum lactate dehydrogenase test to evaluate for hepatocellular injury and to help differentiate patterns of tissue injury. In the typical clinical workflow, a phlebotomist draws a venous serum specimen, which is labeled and sent to the clinical laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs the 83615 assay to measure lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Results are posted in the electronic health record and reviewed by the ordering provider to assist in diagnosis (for example, hepatic disease, hemolysis, or myocardial injury), to monitor disease progression, or to assess response to therapy. LDH testing is commonly ordered in inpatient, emergency department, and outpatient settings and may be repeated serially when monitoring disease or treatment effects.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpretive/professional portion if separate from technical lab processing. |
TC |