Acute hepatitis panel
This panel must include the following:
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An acute hepatitis panel is a comprehensive set of blood tests designed to detect and diagnose infections caused by various hepatitis viruses, specifically Hepatitis A, B, and C. This panel is crucial for identifying both acute and chronic viral liver infections. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is known for its high contagion rate, typically resulting in mild illness. It is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water, as well as through close personal contact. Importantly, HAV does not lead to chronic infections, and a vaccine is available to prevent infection. In contrast, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is more serious, as it is commonly found in blood and body fluids, leading to chronic infections in many cases. Vaccination is also available for HBV. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is similarly transmitted through blood and body fluids and can result in chronic infections; however, there is currently no vaccine available for HCV. The acute hepatitis panel specifically tests for several key markers: Hepatitis A antibody (HAAb), IgM antibody; Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), IgM antibody; Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and Hepatitis C antibody. Each of these components plays a vital role in determining the presence of an active infection or the immune response to these viruses. For instance, the presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent infection, while the detection of HBsAg can signify either an acute or chronic infection. The testing process involves obtaining a specimen through venipuncture, and the serum or plasma is analyzed using a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay to ensure accurate results.
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The acute hepatitis panel is indicated for the evaluation of patients who present with symptoms suggestive of hepatitis or liver dysfunction. The following conditions may warrant the use of this panel:
The procedure for conducting an acute hepatitis panel involves several key steps to ensure accurate testing and diagnosis. First, a qualified healthcare professional will perform a venipuncture to obtain a blood sample from the patient. This step is crucial as it allows for the collection of serum or plasma, which is necessary for the subsequent testing. Once the blood sample is collected, it is processed in a laboratory setting. The serum or plasma is subjected to a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay, a sophisticated testing method that detects specific antibodies and antigens associated with hepatitis viruses. The panel must include the following tests: the Hepatitis A antibody (HAAb), IgM antibody; the Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), IgM antibody; the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and the Hepatitis C antibody. Each of these components is analyzed to determine the presence of acute or chronic infections. The results from these tests will provide critical information regarding the patient's hepatitis status, guiding further clinical management and treatment decisions.
After the acute hepatitis panel has been completed, the patient may be advised on the next steps based on the test results. If the results indicate an active infection, appropriate follow-up care and treatment options will be discussed with the patient. This may include referrals to specialists, such as a hepatologist, for further evaluation and management. Patients may also be educated on the importance of monitoring their liver health and the potential need for additional testing to assess liver function or the extent of liver damage. In cases where the results are negative, patients may be reassured but should still be counseled on preventive measures, such as vaccination for Hepatitis A and B, and safe practices to avoid future infections. Overall, the post-procedure phase is essential for ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their specific hepatitis status.
| Short Descr | ACUTE HEPATITIS PANEL | Medium Descr | ACUTE HEPATITIS PANEL | Long Descr | Acute hepatitis panel This panel must include the following: Hepatitis A antibody (HAAb), IgM antibody (86709) Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), IgM antibody (86705) Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (87340) Hepatitis C antibody (86803) | Status Code | Statutory Exclusion (from MPFS, may be paid under other methodologies) | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | CLIA Waived (QW) | No | APC Status Indicator | Conditionally packaged laboratory tests | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | T1H - Lab tests - other (non-Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 235 - Other Laboratory |
| GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | 90 | Reference (outside) laboratory: when laboratory procedures are performed by a party other than the treating or reporting physician or other qualified health care professional, the procedure may be identified by adding modifier 90 to the usual procedure number. | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test: in the course of treatment of the patient, it may be necessary to repeat the same laboratory test on the same day to obtain subsequent (multiple) test results. under these circumstances, the laboratory test performed can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 91. note: this modifier may not be used when tests are rerun to confirm initial results; due to testing problems with specimens or equipment; or for any other reason when a normal, one-time, reportable result is all that is required. this modifier may not be used when other code(s) describe a series of test results (eg, glucose tolerance tests, evocative/suppression testing). this modifier may only be used for laboratory test(s) performed more than once on the same day on the same patient. | AY | Item or service furnished to an esrd patient that is not for the treatment of esrd | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | QJ | Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b) | QW | Clia waived test | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Description Changed |
| 2009-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2000-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2000. |