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An automated platelet count, designated by CPT® Code 85049, is a laboratory procedure that quantifies the number of platelets in a blood sample. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small cell fragments in the blood that play a crucial role in the clotting process, helping to prevent excessive bleeding when injuries occur. This procedure is essential for diagnosing various medical conditions, particularly bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand disease, which affects the blood's ability to clot properly. Additionally, it is utilized in the evaluation of bone marrow diseases, including leukemia and other hematological malignancies. The automated platelet count is particularly important for monitoring patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants, are receiving chemotherapy, or suffer from chronic kidney disease or autoimmune disorders, as these conditions can significantly impact platelet production and function. The counting of platelets is performed using sophisticated automated devices that provide accurate and efficient results, ensuring timely diagnosis and management of the aforementioned conditions.
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The automated platelet count is indicated for several clinical scenarios, particularly when there is a suspicion of disorders affecting platelet levels or function. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:
The automated platelet count procedure involves several key steps to ensure accurate measurement of platelet levels in the blood. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the automated platelet count is performed, the results are typically available within a short timeframe, allowing for prompt clinical decision-making. There are generally no specific post-procedure care requirements for patients, as the procedure is minimally invasive and does not involve any significant risks. However, it is essential for healthcare providers to interpret the results in the context of the patient's overall clinical picture, considering any symptoms or underlying conditions that may affect platelet levels. Follow-up testing may be necessary based on the initial findings, particularly if abnormal platelet counts are detected.
| Short Descr | AUTOMATED PLATELET COUNT | Medium Descr | BLOOD COUNT PLATELET AUTOMATED | Long Descr | Blood count; platelet, automated | 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) | T1D - Lab tests - blood counts | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 233 - Laboratory - Chemistry and Hematology |
| 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. | 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. | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 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 | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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. | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 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 | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q4 | Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemption | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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| 2003-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2003. |
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