2025 CPT code 82374
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Laboratory - Blood Chemistry Chemistry Procedures Feed
Quantitative measurement of carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) in serum or arterial blood.
Modifiers may apply based on the circumstances of service.Refer to CPT guidelines and payer-specific rules.
Medical necessity for carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) testing is established by the presence of symptoms or conditions suggestive of acid-base imbalance, such as respiratory or metabolic disorders.It's crucial for evaluating the severity of the condition and guiding appropriate treatment decisions.Payer-specific policies may require further clinical justification.
The clinical responsibility lies with the laboratory analyst who performs and interprets the test results. The ordering physician is responsible for appropriate medical decision-making based on these results.
In simple words: This lab test measures the level of carbon dioxide in your blood.This helps doctors understand how well your body is balancing acids and bases, which is important for overall health.
This CPT code encompasses the quantitative determination of carbon dioxide, primarily measured in serum, although arterial blood may be used.The majority of carbon dioxide in blood exists as bicarbonate, with a smaller portion present as carbonic acid.Measurement techniques typically involve spectrophotometry, where light absorption at a specific wavelength is measured after a chemical reaction, directly quantifying the carbon dioxide content.The test is ordered to assess the body's acid-base balance, helping to diagnose acidosis or alkalosis.
Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms of respiratory distress and suspected respiratory acidosis.An arterial blood gas analysis, including carbon dioxide measurement (82374), is ordered to assess the acid-base status and guide treatment., A patient with chronic kidney disease undergoes routine blood tests, including a comprehensive metabolic panel, which incorporates the measurement of serum bicarbonate (82374), to monitor electrolyte balance and kidney function., A patient experiencing severe diarrhea and potential metabolic alkalosis has a blood test performed including carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) level measurement using 82374 to confirm the diagnosis and guide fluid and electrolyte management.
* Physician's order specifying the test (carbon dioxide, bicarbonate).* Patient demographics and relevant medical history.* Specimen collection date and time.* Method of specimen collection (serum or arterial blood).* Test results and interpretation by the laboratory.
** Common synonyms for carbon dioxide in this context include CO2, HCO3, CO2 content, CO2T, and TCO2.The most frequent testing involves this code as part of other chemistry panels.If this is the case, report the panel code instead.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: Not provided in source.Consult current fee schedules and RVU databases for up-to-date information.
- Global Days: Not applicable.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable. This is a laboratory test, not a procedure with separate professional and technical components.
- Fee Schedule: Not provided in source. Consult historical CPT fee schedules for relevant data.
- Specialties:Clinical Chemistry, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Clinical Laboratory, Urgent Care Facility