Summary & Overview
CPT 84577: Urobilinogen Measurement in Stool Specimens
CPT code 84577 designates a laboratory assay measuring urobilinogen in stool specimens. Nationally, stool urobilinogen testing contributes to diagnostic workups for hepatic function and certain gastrointestinal conditions; it is ordered in clinical settings to help identify abnormal bilirubin metabolism and related disorders. Coverage and handling of this laboratory code affect clinical workflows, billing accuracy, and claims adjudication across major payers.
Key payers considered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a focused overview of coding and clinical context, payer coverage patterns, and utility for clinical decision-making. The publication summarizes typical sites of service and operational considerations for laboratories and billing teams.
The report provides benchmarks and comparative context where available, highlights common billing modifiers and administrative notes, and outlines how CPT code 84577 is used within laboratory service lines. Data gaps are noted when input data were not provided. This summary is intended to inform coding professionals, laboratory managers, and revenue cycle staff about the clinical purpose and billing context of CPT code 84577 at a national level.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 84577 describes a laboratory test in which the analyst measures the amount of urobilinogen in a patient’s feces or stool specimen. This test assesses the presence and concentration of urobilinogen, a breakdown product of bilirubin, which can inform evaluation of gastrointestinal and hepatic processes.
-
Service type: Clinical laboratory diagnostic test
-
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory, with specimen collection potentially performed in an outpatient clinic or hospital setting
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 46-year-old outpatient with a history of chronic liver disease and intermittent jaundice provides a stool specimen for laboratory analysis to evaluate bilirubin metabolism and enteric bacterial activity. The clinician orders a fecal urobilinogen test after recent abnormal liver function tests and changes in stool color. The patient receives a labeled collection container with instructions and returns the specimen to the outpatient laboratory or hospital clinical laboratory within the recommended time frame. A medical laboratory technologist performs the quantitative or semi-quantitative assay to measure fecal urobilinogen concentration. Results are reported in the electronic health record and reviewed by the ordering clinician to help distinguish hemolytic versus hepatobiliary causes of jaundice, monitor hepatic function, or evaluate suspected disorders of bilirubin excretion. Typical sites of service include hospital outpatient laboratories, independent clinical reference laboratories, and health system ambulatory laboratory collection centers. Specimen handling, test method (chemical colorimetric or automated analyzer), and turnaround time are documented in the laboratory report.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier — standard billing | Use for routine lab reporting when no special circumstances apply |