Summary & Overview
CPT 80416: Renal Vein Renin Measurement, Six-Sample Protocol
CPT code 80416 describes renal vein renin sampling: measurement of renin in six renal vein blood samples taken before and after a stimulant such as captopril. This invasive diagnostic procedure is used to evaluate sources of renin secretion and to help distinguish renal-origin causes of hypertension or suspected renovascular conditions. Nationally, accurate coding for this procedure matters for clinical decision support, appropriate utilization of specialized testing, and consistent claims processing.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of what CPT code 80416 represents, the typical clinical and procedural context for use, and the expected sites of service. The publication provides operational benchmarks and coding guidance context, highlights common modifier usage where relevant, and summarizes clinical indications and documentation elements that support medical necessity. For areas where input data are not provided, the text explicitly notes data gaps. The goal is to equip billing professionals, clinical coders, and policy analysts with a clear, national-level reference for CPT code 80416 and its role in renal diagnostic workups.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 80416 describes measurement of renin levels in blood samples taken from the renal vein before and after administration of a stimulant (for example, captopril). The procedure involves obtaining six renal vein blood samples and analyzing renin concentration to assess renal-origin renin secretion.
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Service type: Diagnostic endocrine/renal laboratory procedure involving invasive venous sampling and biochemical analysis
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department, outpatient interventional radiology suite, or specialized vascular/renal procedure unit where renal vein sampling and laboratory analysis can be performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred for evaluation of suspected renovascular hypertension or primary hyperaldosteronism when biochemical testing suggests abnormal renin-aldosterone physiology. The patient is admitted for a procedure in an interventional radiology or vascular procedure suite. Under conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care, a vascular access is obtained (commonly femoral or jugular). A selective venous catheter is advanced into the left and right renal veins. Baseline renal vein blood samples are drawn from each renal vein and from a peripheral site. A stimulant (for example, captopril) is administered intravenously or orally per protocol, and serial renal vein samples (typically six samples total across pre- and post-stimulant phases) are collected and sent to the laboratory for renin assay. The lab analyst measures renin concentration in each of the six samples and reports lateralizing gradients or changes that guide diagnosis of unilateral renovascular disease versus bilateral disease. Typical sites of service are hospital-based interventional radiology suites, ambulatory surgery centers with vascular capability, or inpatient hospital procedural units. Usual providers include interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and nephrologists coordinating care with clinical laboratory services.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component |