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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChemistry ProceduresCPT cpt-84260-serotonin-blood-assay
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    CPT 84260: Serotonin Assay in Blood

    CPT code 84260 describes a laboratory assay performed by a lab analyst to measure serotonin levels, typically in blood specimens; the service is a clinical laboratory test usually provided in hospital or outpatient laboratory settings for evaluation of disorders related to serotonin metabolism or to monitor therapy.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical scenario involves an outpatient or inpatient adult who presents for evaluation of symptoms suggesting a neuroendocrine tumor, carcinoid syndrome, or serotonin-related psychiatric/metabolic conditions. A clinician (endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, oncologist, or psychiatrist) orders a laboratory measurement of blood serotonin to aid diagnosis, monitor therapy, or evaluate systemic serotonin levels when urinary 5-HIAA or whole-blood serotonin is indicated. The clinical workflow: a clinician documents indication and orders 84260; a phlebotomy technician draws a blood specimen into the appropriate tube, labels and sends it to the clinical laboratory; the laboratory analyst performs the serotonin assay, documents test method and results in the laboratory information system, and the result is communicated to the ordering clinician for interpretation and follow-up. Typical sites of service include outpatient laboratory draw stations, hospital inpatient units, specialty clinic labs, and reference laboratory facilities.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    80053Comprehensive metabolic panelCommon baseline chemistry panel ordered alongside serotonin testing to assess organ function during workup.
    81002Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopyUrine studies such as urinary 5-HIAA may be ordered in parallel for carcinoid workup.
    83912Assay of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), urineDirectly related confirmatory test for serotonin-secreting tumors; often performed alongside blood serotonin.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationTissue biopsy pathology that may follow abnormal serotonin/5-HIAA results when a tumor is suspected.
    80307Drug screen, qualitative, multiple drug classesMay be used to exclude medication effects on serotonin levels when medication interference is a concern.

    Related Modifiers

    5 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207RG0100XGastroenterology PhysicianAn internist who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs including the stomach, bowels, liver and gallbladder. This…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    2255R0406XBlind Rehabilitation Specialist/TechnologistRespiratory, Developmental, Rehabilitative and Restorative Service Providers · Specialist/Technologist
    163WI0500XInfusion Therapy Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse
    363LX0106XOccupational Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    225700000XMassage TherapistAn individual trained in the manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for remedial or hy…
    2080P0204XPediatric Emergency Medicine (Pediatrics) PhysicianA pediatrician who has special qualifications to manage emergencies in infants and children.

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and MonitoringOscar Health2026-10-01
    Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage CriteriaOscar Health2026-10-01
    Thyroid Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Thyroid Disease Testingblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-09-15
    Thyroid Disease TestingBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium TestingBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04
    Testosterone laboratory testing and managementPremera Bluecross2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    CPT-82009-KETONE-BODIES-QUALITATIVE-TEST

    CPT 82009: Qualitative Ketone Bodies Test

    CPT-82010-QUANTITATIVE-KETONE-BODIES-ASSAY-SERUM-PLASMA

    CPT 82010: Quantitative Ketone Bodies in Serum or Plasma

    CPT-82013-ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

    CPT 82013: Quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (Acetylhydrolase) Assay

    CPT-82016-QUALITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINES-METABOLIC-SCREEN

    CPT 82016: Qualitative Acylcarnitines, Plasma/Serum/Urine

    CPT-82017-QUANTITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 82017: Quantitative Acylcarnitine Analysis

    CPT-82024-QUANTITATIVE-CORTICOTROPIN-ACTH-ASSAY

    CPT 82024: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Quantitative Assay

    CPT-82030-QUANTITATIVE-CAMP-PLASMA-URINE-ASSAY

    CPT 82030: Quantitative cyclic AMP assay on plasma or urine

    CPT-82040-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 82040: Quantitative Albumin Measurement

    CPT-82042-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-NONBLOOD-FLUID

    CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

    CPT-82043-URINE-ALBUMIN-QUANTITATION-KIDNEY-DISEASE

    CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

    Showing 1–10 of 411

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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