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Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
BNP is a peptide (a short chain of amino acids) the heart and blood vessels make. It works as a hormone. That means it sends messages through the blood to other cells or organs in the body. The heart makes BNP normally. The heart will make more of it when it’s working harder than it should to pump and move blood through the body.
When blood vessels get the signal from BNP, it tells them to open up more to lower blood pressure and make it easier for the heart to pump blood. The hormone also tells the kidneys to filter out more water and salt and get rid of it by way of urine. Getting rid of water and salt is one way the body lowers blood pressure to make things easier on the heart.
It might seem strange that a peptide the heart makes is sometimes called “brain natriuretic peptide.” But the reason is that scientists first found it in the brain. They later learned about its role in the heart and blood vessels. The word “natriuretic” is used to describe any substance that keeps the body from holding onto salt. It refers to the role of these peptides in telling the kidneys to get rid of more salt and water.
NT-proBNP is slightly different than BNP but closely related. It’s an ingredient the body needs to make BNP. When the heart has to work harder, both BNP and NT-proBNP levels will go up.
When there is heart failure, the heart makes more B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP). Levels of both go up in the blood when heart failure gets worse and go down when it gets better.
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
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customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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