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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesUrinalysis ProceduresCPT cpt-81015-microscopic-urinalysis-laboratory-examination
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    CPT 81015: Microscopic Urinalysis, Sediment Examination

    CPT code 81015 describes a laboratory service for a microscopic urinalysis only, in which a lab analyst examines a urine specimen directly under the microscope or evaluates the sediment from a centrifuged urine specimen; this is a clinical laboratory diagnostic test typically performed in a hospital laboratory, independent clinical laboratory, or outpatient laboratory setting and ordered specifically when microscopic review of urine sediment is required.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD on dialysis, Metabolic Disorders - Cysteamine (Oral) Products for Individual and Family Plans, Kerendia (finerenone) — Coverage Criteria.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 42-year-old female presents to an outpatient primary care clinic with new-onset dysuria and urinary frequency. The clinician collects a clean-catch midstream urine specimen and places an order specifically for a microscopic urinalysis. The specimen is delivered to the hospital laboratory where a lab analyst performs a microscopic examination either directly on the uncentrifuged specimen or on sediment obtained after centrifugation. The analyst documents microscopic findings such as red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, epithelial cells, and casts. Results are reported to the ordering provider to support diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection, hematuria, or renal disease. Typical sites of service include hospital laboratories, independent clinical laboratories, and outpatient clinic laboratories where trained laboratory personnel perform the microscopic component of urinalysis.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81002Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent; non-automated, without microscopyPerformed at point of care prior to or instead of microscopic urinalysis; chemical screening complements microscopic exam.
    81003Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent; automated, without microscopyAutomated chemical screening often precedes microscopic analysis to guide further testing.
    81007Urinalysis, with microscopy; by automated instrumentationAutomated microscopic analysis that may be performed instead of manual microscopic urinalysis by a lab analyst.
    81025Urine sediment, microscopic examination, requiring interpretation by physician or other qualified health care professionalUsed when microscopic sediment requires documented professional interpretation beyond routine analyst reporting.
    87086Culture, urine; bacterial isolate identification with antimicrobial susceptibilityOften performed after microscopic urinalysis suggests infection to identify organism and direct therapy.

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    3336C0002X
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    208D00000X
    207XX0004X
    133VN1401X
    364SH0200X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Nephrology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Vafseo (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD on dialysisCigna2026-08-15
    Metabolic Disorders - Cysteamine (Oral) Products for Individual and Family PlansCigna2026-08-15
    Kerendia (finerenone) — Coverage CriteriaBlue Cross Blue Shield - Iowa2026-08-05
    Voyxact (sibeprenlimab-szsl) — Prior authorization / medical necessity for primary IgA nephropathyColorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Oxlumo (lumasiran) and Rivfloza (nedosiran) — Coverage Criteria (Ohio)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Korsuva (difelikefalin) — Medical Benefit Drug Coverage Criteria (Ohio)Colorado Rocky Mountain Health Plans2026-08-01
    Complement Inhibitors - EmpaveliCigna2026-08-01
    Tolvaptan (Jynarque)Cigna2026-08-01
    Nephrology - Filspari (sparsentan) coverageCigna2026-08-01
    Rivfloza (nedosiran) prior authorization for PH1UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-81000-URINALYSIS-DIP-STICK-AND-MICROSCOPIC-EXAM

    CPT 81000: Manual Urinalysis with Microscopy

    CPT-81001-URINALYSIS-DIPSTICK-OR-TABLET-REAGENT

    CPT 81001: Urinalysis by Dipstick or Tablet Reagent

    CPT-81002-MANUAL-URINALYSIS-REAGENT-STRIP-TABLET

    CPT 81002: Manual Urine Dipstick Chemical Analysis

    CPT-81003-AUTOMATED-URINE-DIPSTICK-ANALYSIS

    CPT 81003: Automated Urinalysis Dipstick with Instrumented Reader

    CPT-81005-URINE-ANALYTE-QUALITATIVE-SEMIQUANTITATIVE

    CPT 81005: Urine Qualitative or Semiquantitative Analyte Test

    CPT-81007-URINE-BACTERIURIA-NONCULTURE-NONDIPSTICK-TEST

    CPT 81007: Nonculture, Nondipstick Urinalysis for Bacteriuria

    CPT-81020-MICROSCOPIC-URINALYSIS-MULTIPLE-GLASS-COLLECTIONS

    CPT 81020: Microscopic Urine Examination of Multiple Specimens

    CPT-81025-URINE-PREGNANCY-TEST-VISUAL-READ

    CPT 81025: Urine Pregnancy Test, Analyst-Read Visual

    CPT-81050-TIMED-URINE-COLLECTION-VOLUME-MEASUREMENT

    CPT 81050: Timed Urine Volume Measurement

    CPT-81099-UNLISTED-URINE-PROCEDURE

    CPT 81099: Unlisted Urine Procedure

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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