Summary & Overview
CPT 84466: Transferrin Blood Test
CPT code 84466 denotes a laboratory assay to measure transferrin concentration in blood, a key marker in assessing iron transport and related metabolic conditions. Nationally, this test supports diagnosis and monitoring of iron-deficiency states, chronic disease anemia, and disorders of iron overload, making it a routine element of hematology and metabolic workups.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The summary provides a national perspective on clinical context, billing characteristics, and what readers can expect: benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns where available; policy and coverage considerations relevant to laboratory testing; and clinical interpretation context that informs appropriate test ordering.
Readers will learn how CPT code 84466 is positioned within laboratory service lines, typical sites of service for specimen collection and processing, and the role the test plays in diagnostic algorithms. Data not available in the input will be noted explicitly in relevant sections. This publication is intended to clarify coding terminology, payer landscape, and clinical utility for administrators, laboratory managers, and coding professionals.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 84466 is a laboratory test that measures the amount of transferrin in a patient’s blood. Transferrin is a protein that binds and transports iron; measuring its concentration assists clinicians in evaluating iron metabolism and related disorders.
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Service type: Clinical laboratory blood test
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Typical site of service: Hospital or independent clinical laboratory; specimen collected in an outpatient clinic or hospital phlebotomy area
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old outpatient with unexplained anemia and suspected iron metabolism disorder presents to a primary care clinic. The clinician orders a serum transferrin (total iron-binding capacity) assay to evaluate iron transport and differentiate iron deficiency anemia from anemia of chronic disease. A phlebotomy technician draws a blood specimen in the clinic’s laboratory collection area; the specimen is sent to the clinical laboratory where a medical laboratory scientist or lab analyst performs the quantitative transferrin measurement using immunoassay or nephelometry. Results are reviewed by the ordering clinician and used with CBC, serum ferritin, and serum iron to guide diagnosis and management.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional interpretation or supervision portion if applicable (rare for this automated lab test). |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use when this transferrin assay is performed and billed separately from another distinct lab test on the same day. |