Summary & Overview
CPT 81050: Timed Urine Collection Volume Measurement
CPT code 81050 represents the laboratory service of measuring and recording the total volume of urine collected during a timed urine collection. This basic but essential laboratory procedure supports diagnosis and monitoring of renal function, fluid balance, metabolic disorders, and other conditions where timed urine output is clinically relevant. Nationally, accurate documentation of timed urine volume is important for clinical decision-making, quality measurement, and proper billing of associated laboratory services.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what the code covers, typical sites of service, and the clinical contexts in which the measurement is used. The publication also provides benchmarking context, common modifier usage (listed separately), and guidance on where this service is commonly billed within the laboratory service line.
The content aims to clarify the clinical purpose of CPT code 81050, outline payers that commonly reimburse such laboratory measurements, and summarize what facilities and coders should expect when documenting timed urine volume measurements. Data not provided in the source input (such as specific payer rates, related ICD-10 diagnoses, and associated taxonomies) are noted as unavailable and are not fabricated.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 81050 documents the laboratory measurement and recording of the volume of urine collected during a timed urine collection. The service involves a laboratory analyst or technician measuring total urine output for a specified timed interval and recording that volume as part of a diagnostic or monitoring procedure.
Service type: Laboratory specimen processing and measurement
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory setting; specimen may be collected in inpatient, outpatient, or ambulatory settings prior to measurement
Data not available in the input.
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.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
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