Metal Ion Blood Test

[BillM]

I am doing my two year follow up with Dr. Gross and need to do a metal ion blood test.  The form they send does not appear to be correct.  It has no blood test diagnostic codes.  Just the words "Blood test for metal ion levels of whole blood Cobalt and Chromium"   And "_OA, left hip (M16.12)".  Which is the ICD for left hip osteoarthritis, not a blood test code. 

I called my normal lab and they confirmed that the order form was not sufficient since it did not contain the diagnostic codes.

I called Quest and end up in a endless menu loop.  I searched their web site and was able to find a Heavy Metal blood test, but it did not include Chromium.

I've called the number on the form for Dr. Gross's office, but it always goes to voicemail.  I leave a voicemail explaining the issue and they send me the same form.  After three rounds of this I have given up. 

How have other Dr. Gross patients managed to get your metal ion test completed?

Does anyone know the Quest Diagnostic Codes for a metal ion whole blood cobalt and chromium test?

Thanks
Bill

[jwall07]

I called my local Quest and told them what I needed. I had to take the form to their location and then go back for a blood draw appointment. I had set up my Quest online account previously. They sent my results to Dr Gross and I can still access them online.
Just now I googled Quest lab chromium test and a “CPT” code (82495) comes up on one of Quest’s webpages, but I did not need this to schedule the test. The local people were most helpful.

[BillM]

Thanks.  The lady in Dr. Gross's office argued with me that M16.12 was the correct code for the blood test.  I  gave up. 

I looked up the cobalt code.  When I went to Quest I had the two codes.  The girl looked them up and verified them. 

For anyone who runs into this in the future the current code for Cobalt is CPT 83018 and Chromium is CPT 82495.