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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesUrinalysis ProceduresCPT cpt-81050-timed-urine-collection-volume-measurement
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    CPT 81050: Timed Urine Volume Measurement

    CPT code 81050 describes measurement and recording of the total urine volume collected during a timed urine collection; this is a laboratory timed collection service typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting when quantifying urine output over a specified interval for diagnostic testing or monitoring.

    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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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A patient is instructed to collect all urine over a defined time period (commonly 24 hours) for quantitative measurement of analytes such as creatinine, protein, calcium, or hormonal metabolites. The patient presents to a hospital outpatient laboratory, clinic, or accredited reference lab after a clinician orders a timed urine collection to evaluate kidney function, proteinuria, nephrolithiasis risk, or endocrine testing. The procedure performed under 81050 is the laboratory analyst measuring and recording the total volume of the collected timed specimen once the sample is returned. Typical workflow: the patient returns the collection container to the laboratory reception; a trained lab technician verifies patient identifiers and collection period, inspects the specimen for completeness, measures total urine volume using calibrated graduated containers or laboratory instruments, records volume in the laboratory information system, aliquots as required for downstream assays, and stores or forwards specimens for testing. Typical site of service: hospital outpatient laboratory, independent clinical laboratory, or physician office laboratory. Typical patient scenario: adult with suspected abnormal kidney function or 24-hour urine ordered for evaluation of proteinuria, nephrolithiasis metabolic workup, or 24-hour hormone metabolite measurement; clinician orders timed collection; sample returned to lab where 81050 activity is performed as part of specimen processing and documentation.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    81002Urinalysis, by dipstick or tablet reagent; non-automated, with microscopyOften performed on spot urine prior to or instead of timed collections; may complement findings from timed volume measurement.
    81003Urinalysis; automated, with microscopyAlternative urinalysis method used in conjunction with timed urine studies for microscopic analysis.
    82570Creatinine; urine, quantitativeCommon laboratory analysis performed on 24-hour urine after total volume measurement to calculate creatinine excretion and validate collection completeness.
    84156Protein; total, urine (e.g., 24-hour)Protein quantification performed on timed urine; requires total volume measurement to calculate 24-hour protein excretion.
    82543Calcium; urine, 24 hourMetabolic stone workup test frequently ordered with total urine volume measurement to calculate 24-hour calcium excretion.
    81025Urine pregnancy test, by visual color comparison methodsSometimes performed on urine specimens when pregnancy status affects interpretation of timed urine studies; may be done on collected specimen.

    Related Modifiers

    7 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    363A00000X
    208D00000X
    208000000X
    207Q00000X
    174400000X
    163WA2000X
    170300000X
    2279H0200X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    29 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    E10.21Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E11.21Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic nephropathy
    E78.5Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
    I12.0Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 5 chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease
    I13.11Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease without heart failure, with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, or end stage renal disease
    N00.9Acute nephritic syndrome with unspecified morphologic changes
    N02.9Recurrent and persistent hematuria with unspecified morphologic changes
    N03.9Chronic nephritic syndrome with unspecified morphologic changes
    N04.9Nephrotic syndrome with unspecified morphologic changes
    N10Acute pyelonephritis

    Showing 1–10 of 29

    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-81015-MICROSCOPIC-URINALYSIS-LABORATORY-EXAMINATION

    CPT 81015: Microscopic Urinalysis, Sediment Examination

    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-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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