Summary & Overview
CPT 84460: Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) (SGPT) Laboratory Test
Headline: CPT 84460: ALT (SGPT) Lab Test Remains a Core Component of Liver Function Assessment
Lead: CPT 84460 represents a laboratory assay for Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a primary biomarker for liver injury and dysfunction. The test is widely used across clinical settings to detect hepatic inflammation, guide diagnostic workups, and monitor disease progression or treatment response.
What this code represents and why it matters nationally: CPT 84460 is the standardized code for ALT (SGPT) testing, enabling consistent reporting and billing for a high-volume laboratory service. ALT testing is clinically central to screening for and managing liver disease, including viral hepatitis, toxic or alcoholic liver injury, and monitoring of hepatotoxic medications. Its ubiquity makes accurate coding and reimbursement important for laboratories and clinicians nationwide.
Key payers covered: Analysis includes major national payers — Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare — reflecting common commercial coverage considerations for laboratory services.
Overview of what readers will learn: The publication provides a concise reference on the clinical purpose of CPT 84460, typical sites of service, and payer coverage context. Readers will find information valuable for billing staff, lab managers, and clinical teams seeking clarity on how ALT testing is classified, where it is typically performed, and which payers are relevant for coverage and claims workflows. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 84460 describes the laboratory measurement of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SGPT). This test quantifies the concentration of ALT, an enzyme commonly assessed to evaluate liver cell injury and monitor hepatic function.
Service Type: Laboratory
Typical Site of Service: Independent Laboratory (POS 81)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient with a history of alcohol use disorder presents to a primary care clinic for routine monitoring of liver health. The provider orders serum alanine aminotransferase testing to evaluate hepatocellular injury and to follow known chronic liver conditions. The blood draw is performed in an independent laboratory (POS 81). Results are reported to the ordering clinician electronically and reviewed alongside other hepatic function tests as part of ongoing management of liver disease.
Coding Specifications
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Common Modifiers:
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91— Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test: used when the same laboratory test is repeated on the same patient to confirm prior results or due to an unsatisfactory initial specimen. -
59— Distinct Procedural Service: used when a lab service is distinct or independent from other services provided on the same day and not typically bundled. -
Associated Provider Taxonomies:
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291U00000X— Clinical Medical Laboratory: laboratory service providers performing diagnostic testing. -
207Q00000X— Family Medicine Physician: primary care clinicians who may order ALT testing for screening or monitoring.