CPT® Code 82746 is used to report a serum folic acid (folate) laboratory test, which measures the level of folate circulating in a patient’s blood. Folate is a vital B vitamin required for DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and neurologic function.
This test is commonly ordered to evaluate nutritional status, investigate anemia, assess malabsorption disorders, or monitor patients at risk for folate deficiency, including those with gastrointestinal conditions, alcohol use disorder, or certain chronic illnesses.
CPT 82746 represents the laboratory analysis only. Clinical interpretation, diagnosis, treatment planning, or nutritional counseling are billed separately.
Key Facts About CPT® 82746
- Service type: Clinical laboratory blood test
- Provider type: Physicians, laboratories, and qualified healthcare professionals
- Medical services included: Quantitative measurement of serum folic acid
- Specimen type: Blood (serum)
- Common clinical indications:
- Evaluation of macrocytic or megaloblastic anemia
- Assessment of nutritional deficiencies
- Monitoring malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac disease, IBD)
- Neurologic symptoms potentially related to vitamin deficiency
- Monitoring patients on medications affecting folate metabolism
When to Use CPT® 82746
CPT 82746 is appropriate when:
- A blood sample is collected to measure serum folate levels
- The test is medically necessary for diagnostic evaluation or ongoing monitoring
- Results will influence clinical decision-making, supplementation, or treatment plans
Examples:
- Evaluating unexplained anemia with elevated MCV
- Monitoring folate status in patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease
- Assessing nutritional deficiencies in integrative or functional medicine care
- Evaluating neurologic symptoms such as neuropathy or cognitive changes
Documentation Requirements
To support accurate billing for CPT 82746, documentation should include:
- Patient identifiers and date of specimen collection
- Ordering provider and clinical indication for testing
- Confirmation that a serum folic acid test was performed
- Test results and reference ranges
- Follow-up actions, treatment plans, or supplementation recommendations
Clear documentation supports medical necessity, payer compliance, and continuity of care, especially when tracking nutritional markers over time.
Reimbursement and Coding Considerations
- CPT 82746 is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers when medical necessity is established
- Coverage may vary for routine screening versus diagnostic evaluation
- Interpretation, nutritional counseling, or care planning is not included and should be billed separately when applicable
- Payers may require supporting diagnoses such as anemia, malnutrition, or gastrointestinal disorders
- Always confirm payer-specific policies and frequency limitations
How OptiMantra Supports Nutritional and Lab Testing Workflows
OptiMantra’s all-in-one EMR and practice management platform makes managing CPT 82746 testing seamless—especially for integrative, functional, and specialty practices focused on root-cause care.
With OptiMantra, providers can:
- Order and document serum folate tests directly within the patient chart
- Track folic acid levels longitudinally alongside other nutritional markers
- Link lab results to diagnoses, supplements, and personalized care plans
- Maintain clean, audit-ready documentation for compliant billing
- Integrate lab data into whole-person treatment strategies
By centralizing lab management, documentation, and billing, OptiMantra helps practices deliver data-driven nutritional care while staying compliant and efficient.
Try OptiMantra for free here!
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