Summary & Overview
CPT 84430: Thiocyanate Measurement in Blood or Urine
CPT code 84430 designates a laboratory assay that measures thiocyanate concentrations in blood or urine. This clinical chemistry test is used in toxicology and exposure assessment—important for identifying cyanide exposure and for monitoring certain metabolic or exposure-related conditions. Nationally, standardized reporting of such specialized assays supports consistent clinical decision-making and laboratory billing practices.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the code's clinical context, expected sites of service, common billing considerations, and payer coverage patterns. The publication summarizes available benchmarks where provided, notes prevalent billing modifiers when applicable, and highlights policy updates and payer coverage nuances that affect laboratory reimbursement and claims adjudication. Clinical context explains when thiocyanate measurement is indicated and how it integrates with toxicology workflows. If specific data elements were not provided in the input, the publication notes that those items are not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 84430 describes a laboratory test in which a lab analyst measures thiocyanate levels, typically in blood or urine specimens. This test is a clinical chemistry assay used to assess exposure to cyanide sources and to monitor certain metabolic or toxicologic conditions.
Service Type: Clinical laboratory testing
Typical Site of Service: Clinical laboratory, hospital lab, or outpatient specimen collection site
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old male presents to the outpatient laboratory after referral from occupational health for monitoring of chronic exposure to cyanide, with concern for elevated thiocyanate secondary to long-term cyanide exposure from work-related combustion byproducts. A phlebotomist collects a venous blood specimen (or alternatively a urine specimen when indicated) and the sample is transported to the clinical chemistry laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs 84430 to quantitatively measure thiocyanate concentration. Results are reviewed by the pathologist or clinical chemist and reported to the ordering clinician for correlation with exposure history, signs of toxicity, or assessment of cyanide antidote therapy effectiveness.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When a physician or laboratorian bills for interpretation or professional oversight separate from the technical component |
TC | Technical component | When the facility bills for the technical performance of the test (instruments, reagents, and staff) |