Summary & Overview
CPT 84490: Stool Trypsin Measurement, 24-Hour Collection
CPT code 84490 represents a quantitative laboratory assay measuring trypsin in a 24-hour stool collection. The test evaluates pancreatic exocrine function and can inform diagnosis and management of malabsorption, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis screening, and other gastrointestinal disorders. As a specialized laboratory procedure, it is performed in hospital and independent clinical laboratories and billed as a clinical laboratory service.
Key national payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise description of the clinical purpose of the assay, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape covered in this analysis. The publication outlines common billing considerations for CPT code 84490, summarizes typical modifier usage where available, and situates the test within broader laboratory and gastroenterology service lines.
This summary equips clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts with the essential clinical context and administrative framing for CPT code 84490, including what the test measures, where it is usually performed, and which major payers are relevant for coverage and claims processing. Data not available in the input.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 84490 describes a laboratory assay in which a clinical laboratory analyst measures the amount of trypsin in a patient’s stool specimen collected over 24 hours. This test quantifies pancreatic exocrine function by assessing trypsin output in feces.
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Service type: Clinical laboratory test — quantitative fecal enzyme assay
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Typical site of service: Hospital laboratory, independent clinical laboratory, or outpatient laboratory collection site
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult or pediatric patient referred by a gastroenterologist or primary care clinician for evaluation of chronic steatorrhea, unexplained malabsorption, weight loss, or failure to thrive. The clinician orders a quantitative 24‑hour stool trypsin measurement to assess pancreatic exocrine function when conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic resection, or suspected pancreatic insufficiency are under consideration. The patient receives instructions for a complete 24‑hour stool collection at home, including avoidance of contaminating substances and accurate timing. The laboratory receives the refrigerated specimen, documents specimen integrity and total volume or weight, aliquots as needed, and the lab analyst performs the biochemical assay to quantify trypsin concentration or activity. Results are reported to the ordering clinician, who integrates the value with clinical findings, imaging, and other pancreatic function tests to guide diagnosis and management.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Standard reporting when no other modifier applies |
11 | Office or Other Outpatient Service |