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    OpenPayerBilling CodesOther Pathology and Laboratory ProceduresCPT cpt-89049-caffeine-halothane-contracture-test-mh-susceptibility
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    CPT 89049: Caffeine-Halothane Contracture Test for Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility

    Medicare pays $369 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 89049 describes a laboratory analysis in which an analyst performs a caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) on a muscle biopsy specimen to evaluate susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH); service type: diagnostic muscle biopsy contracture testing, typical site of service: specialized clinical laboratory or pathology/laboratory facility where muscle biopsy specimens are processed and functionally tested.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Oral Cancer Screening and Testing, RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia (MH) is referred to a tertiary neuromuscular laboratory after an episode of unexplained hyperthermia during a prior general anesthetic. The surgical team arranges a targeted open or needle muscle biopsy under local or monitored anesthesia care. The biopsy specimen is transported immediately on ice to the specialized laboratory. A clinical laboratory analyst performs the caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT, CPT 89049) to assess increased contracture response of skeletal muscle strips to caffeine and halothane, confirming or excluding susceptibility to MH. Results are interpreted in the context of clinical history and, if available, prior genetic testing for RYR1 or CACNA1S variants. The laboratory documents specimen receipt time, muscle viability testing, assay conditions, and numeric contracture responses; the final report is transmitted to the referring anesthesiologist, surgeon, and the patient’s primary care provider. Typical site of service is an outpatient specialized neuromuscular or pathology laboratory or hospital-based clinical laboratory equipped for physiologic contracture testing.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    20200Biopsy, muscle; superficialOften performed to obtain the muscle specimen sent to the laboratory for CPT 89049.
    20205Muscle biopsy, deepUsed when a deeper or open muscle biopsy is required to obtain adequate tissue for CHCT.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationMay apply to histologic evaluation of the biopsy specimen when concurrent pathological analysis is performed.
    80502Drug test, amphetamines, other studies (placeholder)Data not available in the input.
    99000Handling and/or conveyance of specimens (non-covered)Ancillary billing considerations for specimen transport; usage varies by payer.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 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…
    90Modifier ‑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…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207P00000X
    208000000X
    208U00000X
    146E00000X
    172A00000X
    146D00000X
    2080P0207X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Genetic & Molecular Testing1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Oral Cancer Screening and TestingOscar Health2027-01-01
    RTM Testing for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin DeficiencyOscar Health2027-01-01
    Cytochrome P450 Genotype-Guided Treatment Strategy Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2027-01-01
    Carrier Testing Panels for Genetic Diseases (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic Testing for Neurological Disorders (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Genetic and Molecular TestingProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Next Generation Sequencing for Minimal Residual Disease DetectionProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Pharmacogenetic Panel Testing (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Non-Covered Genetic Panel TestsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-89050-CSF-JOINT-FLUID-CELL-COUNT

    CPT 89050: Cell Count of Miscellaneous Body Fluids (CSF, Joint Fluid)

    CPT-89051-BODY-FLUID-CELL-COUNT-DIFFERENTIAL-NON-BLOOD

    CPT 89051: Body Fluid Cell Count with Differential

    CPT-89055-STOOL-LEUKOCYTE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 89055: Stool Leukocyte Test, Technical Component

    CPT-89060-MICROSCOPIC-CRYSTAL-ANALYSIS-TISSUE-BODY-FLUID

    CPT 89060: Crystal Analysis by Light Microscopy

    CPT-89125-FAT-STAIN-STOOL-URINE-RESPIRATORY-SPECIMEN

    CPT 89125: Fat Stain of Feces, Urine, or Respiratory Secretions

    CPT-89160-FECAL-MUSCLE-FIBER-MICROSCOPY

    CPT 89160: Fecal Microscopic Examination for Muscle Fibers

    CPT-89190-NASAL-SMEAR-EOSINOPHIL-ANALYSIS

    CPT 89190: Nasal Smear Examination for Eosinophils

    CPT-89220-ASSISTED-SPUTUM-INDUCTION-AEROSOL-MIST

    CPT 89220: Induced Sputum Collection by Aerosol Mist

    CPT-89230-SWEAT-COLLECTION-BY-IONTOPHORESIS

    CPT 89230: Sweat Collection by Iontophoresis

    CPT-89240-UNLISTED-PATHOLOGY-PROCEDURE

    CPT 89240: Unlisted Pathology Procedure

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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.
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