When we draw estradiol on our fertility patients, we use CPT code 82670 (assay of estradiol). The insurance company changed this to 80415 (chorionic gonadotropin stimulation panel; estradiol response panel), saying it “better represents the services performed.” Is that correct?
A
Code 80415 includes a baseline level of estradiol, preferably pooled with 3 samples at 15- to 20-minute intervals. After the baseline is taken, 5,000 U of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are administered intramuscularly. Then, 3 days later, a pooled sampling of estradiol is repeated for response to the evocative agent. This is done to detect ovarian production of estradiol in response to hCG.
