CPT 84590: Vitamin A Assay, Quantitative

CPT code 84590 describes a laboratory assay to measure vitamin A concentration, a clinical chemistry test typically performed on serum or plasma; this is a diagnostic quantitative lab test processed in a clinical or hospital laboratory setting and reported for evaluation of vitamin A status or related metabolic concerns.

For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing.

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CPT 84590: Vitamin A Assay, Quantitative

For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 84590 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 84590 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult or pediatric outpatient referred by a primary care provider or pediatrician for assessment of nutritional status, malabsorption, or suspected vitamin deficiency. The clinician orders a serum vitamin A (retinol) level when patients present with symptoms such as night blindness, xerosis, unexplained weight loss, chronic diarrhea, fat malabsorption (for example from celiac disease or post-bariatric surgery), or when monitoring patients on long-term total parenteral nutrition or high-dose vitamin A therapy. The clinical workflow: the provider places the laboratory order for 84590; the patient presents to an outpatient laboratory, hospital phlebotomy service, or clinic phlebotomy area (typical site of service: outpatient laboratory or hospital outpatient blood draw). A phlebotomist collects a venous blood specimen, which is sent to the clinical chemistry or reference laboratory. The laboratory analyst performs quantitative measurement of serum retinol by appropriate analytic method (e.g., HPLC or mass spectrometry), documents results in the laboratory information system, and the ordering provider reviews results in the electronic medical record to guide clinical management such as nutritional counseling, supplementation, or further evaluation for malabsorption or liver dysfunction.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80061`	Lipid panel; total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides (includes calculation of LDL when performed)	Often ordered concurrently to evaluate nutritional status and fat absorption affecting fat-soluble vitamin levels.
`82270`	Assay of bilirubin; total	Ordered when assessing liver function, which influences vitamin A metabolism and storage.
`84443`	Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)	Common concurrent endocrine test in malnutrition or systemic disease workups.
`83036`	Hemoglobin A1c	May be included in comprehensive metabolic/nutritional evaluation for patients with chronic disease.
`80053`	Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)	Provides assessment of liver and renal function and electrolytes relevant to interpreting vitamin A levels.
`82728`	Assay of vitamin B12	Frequently ordered as part of a broader micronutrient assessment in patients with malabsorption or deficiency symptoms.

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
90	Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…	- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
91	Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…	- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
92	Modifier 92 (Alternative Laboratory Platform Testing) is used when laboratory tests are performed with single‑use, disposable, portable kits or transportable instruments. The AMA defines it for tests…	- Use modifier 92 when a laboratory test is performed using a single‑use, disposable analytical device or kit (an alternative laboratory platform) that is portable and may be taken to or near the…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
2082S0099X	Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck (Plastic Surgery) Physician	A plastic surgeon with additional training in plastic and reconstructive procedures within the head, face, neck and associated structures, including c…
2471Q0001X	Quality Management Radiologic Technologist	A radiologic technologist who specializes in quality management.
102X00000X	Poetry Therapist	A medical or mental health professional who has attained credentials after satisfactorily completing a poetry therapy training program approved by the…
133V00000X	Registered Dietitian	A Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is an individual uniquely trained in the science of nutrition and practice of diet…

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Salivary Hormone Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Bone Turnover Markers Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and Monitoring	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Thyroid Disease Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Testosterone laboratory testing and measurement (coverage criteria)	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 82009: Qualitative Ketone Bodies Test

CPT-82010-QUANTITATIVE-KETONE-BODIES-ASSAY-SERUM-PLASMA

CPT 82010: Quantitative Ketone Bodies in Serum or Plasma

CPT-82013-ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

CPT 82013: Quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (Acetylhydrolase) Assay

CPT-82016-QUALITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINES-METABOLIC-SCREEN

CPT 82016: Qualitative Acylcarnitines, Plasma/Serum/Urine

CPT-82017-QUANTITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINE-ANALYSIS

CPT 82017: Quantitative Acylcarnitine Analysis

CPT-82024-QUANTITATIVE-CORTICOTROPIN-ACTH-ASSAY

CPT 82024: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Quantitative Assay

CPT-82030-QUANTITATIVE-CAMP-PLASMA-URINE-ASSAY

CPT 82030: Quantitative cyclic AMP assay on plasma or urine

CPT-82040-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-MEASUREMENT

CPT 82040: Quantitative Albumin Measurement

CPT-82042-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-NONBLOOD-FLUID

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

CPT-82043-URINE-ALBUMIN-QUANTITATION-KIDNEY-DISEASE

CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

Showing 1–10 of 411

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`80061`	Lipid panel; total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides (includes calculation of LDL when performed)	Often ordered concurrently to evaluate nutritional status and fat absorption affecting fat-soluble vitamin levels.
`82270`	Assay of bilirubin; total	Ordered when assessing liver function, which influences vitamin A metabolism and storage.
`84443`	Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)	Common concurrent endocrine test in malnutrition or systemic disease workups.
`83036`	Hemoglobin A1c	May be included in comprehensive metabolic/nutritional evaluation for patients with chronic disease.
`80053`	Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)	Provides assessment of liver and renal function and electrolytes relevant to interpreting vitamin A levels.
`82728`	Assay of vitamin B12	Frequently ordered as part of a broader micronutrient assessment in patients with malabsorption or deficiency symptoms.

Related Modifiers

5 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
90	Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…	- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
91	Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…	- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
59	Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…	- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
92	Modifier 92 (Alternative Laboratory Platform Testing) is used when laboratory tests are performed with single‑use, disposable, portable kits or transportable instruments. The AMA defines it for tests…	- Use modifier 92 when a laboratory test is performed using a single‑use, disposable analytical device or kit (an alternative laboratory platform) that is portable and may be taken to or near the…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
208000000X	Pediatrics Physician	A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
2082S0099X	Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck (Plastic Surgery) Physician	A plastic surgeon with additional training in plastic and reconstructive procedures within the head, face, neck and associated structures, including c…
2471Q0001X	Quality Management Radiologic Technologist	A radiologic technologist who specializes in quality management.
102X00000X	Poetry Therapist	A medical or mental health professional who has attained credentials after satisfactorily completing a poetry therapy training program approved by the…
133V00000X	Registered Dietitian	A Registered Dietitian (RD)/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is an individual uniquely trained in the science of nutrition and practice of diet…

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Salivary Hormone Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Bone Turnover Markers Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and Monitoring	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Thyroid Disease Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Testosterone laboratory testing and measurement (coverage criteria)	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 82009: Qualitative Ketone Bodies Test

CPT-82010-QUANTITATIVE-KETONE-BODIES-ASSAY-SERUM-PLASMA

CPT 82010: Quantitative Ketone Bodies in Serum or Plasma

CPT-82013-ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

CPT 82013: Quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (Acetylhydrolase) Assay

CPT-82016-QUALITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINES-METABOLIC-SCREEN

CPT 82016: Qualitative Acylcarnitines, Plasma/Serum/Urine

CPT-82017-QUANTITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINE-ANALYSIS

CPT 82017: Quantitative Acylcarnitine Analysis

CPT-82024-QUANTITATIVE-CORTICOTROPIN-ACTH-ASSAY

CPT 82024: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Quantitative Assay

CPT-82030-QUANTITATIVE-CAMP-PLASMA-URINE-ASSAY

CPT 82030: Quantitative cyclic AMP assay on plasma or urine

CPT-82040-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-MEASUREMENT

CPT 82040: Quantitative Albumin Measurement

CPT-82042-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-NONBLOOD-FLUID

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

CPT-82043-URINE-ALBUMIN-QUANTITATION-KIDNEY-DISEASE

CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

Showing 1–10 of 411

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 84590: Vitamin A Assay, Quantitative

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OpenPayer

CPT 84590: Vitamin A Assay, Quantitative

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 84590: Vitamin A Assay, Quantitative

Sign up for cpt 84590 policy alerts

CPT 84590: Vitamin A Assay, Quantitative

Sign up for cpt 84590 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT code 84590 represent and where is the test typically performed?

When is a serum vitamin A (84590) typically ordered?

Which modifiers are relevant when billing CPT 84590 and when should they be used?

What other laboratory tests are commonly ordered with the vitamin A assay?

Which diagnoses are commonly associated with ordering CPT 84590?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT code 84590 represent and where is the test typically performed?

When is a serum vitamin A (84590) typically ordered?

Which modifiers are relevant when billing CPT 84590 and when should they be used?

What other laboratory tests are commonly ordered with the vitamin A assay?

Which diagnoses are commonly associated with ordering CPT 84590?

References