AMA CPT® Assistant - 1999 Issue 2 (February)
Helicobacter Pylori Breath Testing (February 1999)
February 1999 page 8 Coding Update Helicobacter Pylori Breath Testing For CPT 1999, code 83019 was deleted from the chemistry subsection. In place of code 83019, two codes, 83013 and 83014, have been added. Code 83013 now describes the procedure for the detection of the Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) organism by analyzing a sample of the patient's breath. The information provided by this laboratory test assists the physician in the diagnosis and management of patient(s) with known or suspected gastric, peptic and/or duodenal ulcer disease, by determining the presence of infection by the H. pylori organism in the patient's...
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Article Overview
This Coding Update article covers a 1999 CPT change involving Helicobacter pylori breath testing. It is relevant to laboratory billing, physician office workflows, and coding staff who need to understand the general structure of the updated reporting approach for specimen collection, drug administration, and analysis. The article provides broad guidance on how the testing process is divided across services and settings, with references to standard CPT reporting and reference laboratory arrangements.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps coders and billing professionals recognize that the breath test service changed in CPT 1999 and understand the overall division of responsibility between collection, administration, and analysis.
Article Sections
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Coding Update
Overview of the CPT 1999 change and the laboratory testing context for Helicobacter pylori breath testing.
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Code 83013
Discussion of the analysis portion of the breath test, including how laboratory performance and reference laboratory arrangements are addressed at a high level.
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Code 83014
Discussion of the administration and collection portion of the breath test and the general workflow when services are performed separately from analysis.
What You Will Learn
- What the article says changed in CPT 1999 for Helicobacter pylori breath testing
- How the testing process is divided into collection, administration, and analysis at a high level
- Which service settings and laboratory relationships are discussed in the update
- How the article frames the role of the updated CPT reporting structure
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Laboratory personnel
- Compliance teams
- Physician office staff
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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