CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

CPT code 82042 describes a laboratory quantitation of albumin in a measured, timed, or random non-blood fluid specimen (any fluid source other than blood, serum, plasma, or urine) with the analyst reporting a numeric concentration; the service is a clinical laboratory quantitative protein assay typically performed in a clinical laboratory or pathology/chemistry lab using collected fluid samples.

For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing.

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CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 82042 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 82042 are released or updated.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A typical patient is an adult admitted to an inpatient ward or presenting to an outpatient specialty clinic (e.g., nephrology, infectious disease, oncology) with a suspected or known serous fluid abnormality such as pleural effusion, ascites, or cerebrospinal fluid change. A clinician orders fluid analysis including 82042 when quantitation of albumin in a non-blood fluid specimen (for example pleural, peritoneal, synovial, or cerebrospinal fluid) is required to assess protein dynamics, guide differential diagnosis (transudate vs exudate), monitor nutritional/protein status, or calculate gradient measurements (e.g., serum-ascites albumin gradient).

Workflow:

A clinician collects a non-blood fluid specimen (random, timed, or measured) using standard sterile technique in the appropriate clinical setting (inpatient, outpatient clinic, emergency department, or procedure suite).
The specimen is labeled and transported to the clinical laboratory with accompanying order for 82042 and any other requested fluid studies.
Laboratory personnel perform the albumin quantitation using validated methods (e.g., immunoassay) and document the numeric concentration and units in the laboratory information system.
Results are reported to the ordering provider and integrated into the patient record to support clinical interpretation (e.g., calculation of gradients or comparison to serum albumin).

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`49083`	Aspiration of peritoneal cavity (paracentesis), without imaging guidance	Specimen collection procedure that commonly precedes `82042` when ascitic fluid is sampled.
`32554`	Thoracentesis, therapeutic and diagnostic, with or without imaging guidance	Procedure to obtain pleural fluid for albumin quantitation in pleural effusion evaluation.
`62310`	Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnostic	Procedure to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for albumin measurement when indicated.
`81002`	Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopy	Common complementary fluid/urine studies; not a substitute but often ordered alongside fluid protein tests.
`84156`	Albumin; serum (quantitative)	Serum albumin measurement used together with `82042` to calculate gradients (e.g., serum-ascites albumin gradient).

Related Modifiers

6 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
90	Modifier ‑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…
91	Modifier 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	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
2084P0800X	Psychiatry Physician	A Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
207VE0102X	Reproductive Endocrinology Physician	An obstetrician/gynecologist who is capable of managing complex problems relating to reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
207Y00000X	Otolaryngology Physician	An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…
347C00000X	Private Vehicle	An individual paid to provide non-emergency transportation using their privately owned/leased vehicle.

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Salivary Hormone Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Bone Turnover Markers Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and Monitoring	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Thyroid Disease Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Testosterone laboratory testing and management	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 82009: Qualitative Ketone Bodies Test

CPT-82010-QUANTITATIVE-KETONE-BODIES-ASSAY-SERUM-PLASMA

CPT 82010: Quantitative Ketone Bodies in Serum or Plasma

CPT-82013-ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

CPT 82013: Quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (Acetylhydrolase) Assay

CPT-82016-QUALITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINES-METABOLIC-SCREEN

CPT 82016: Qualitative Acylcarnitines, Plasma/Serum/Urine

CPT-82017-QUANTITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINE-ANALYSIS

CPT 82017: Quantitative Acylcarnitine Analysis

CPT-82024-QUANTITATIVE-CORTICOTROPIN-ACTH-ASSAY

CPT 82024: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Quantitative Assay

CPT-82030-QUANTITATIVE-CAMP-PLASMA-URINE-ASSAY

CPT 82030: Quantitative cyclic AMP assay on plasma or urine

CPT-82040-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-MEASUREMENT

CPT 82040: Quantitative Albumin Measurement

CPT-82043-URINE-ALBUMIN-QUANTITATION-KIDNEY-DISEASE

CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

CPT-82044-POINT-OF-CARE-URINE-MICROALBUMIN-SEMIQUANTITATIVE

CPT 82044: Semiquantitative Urine Albumin (Microalbumin) Strip Test

Showing 1–10 of 411

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Workflow:

A clinician collects a non-blood fluid specimen (random, timed, or measured) using standard sterile technique in the appropriate clinical setting (inpatient, outpatient clinic, emergency department, or procedure suite).
The specimen is labeled and transported to the clinical laboratory with accompanying order for 82042 and any other requested fluid studies.
Laboratory personnel perform the albumin quantitation using validated methods (e.g., immunoassay) and document the numeric concentration and units in the laboratory information system.
Results are reported to the ordering provider and integrated into the patient record to support clinical interpretation (e.g., calculation of gradients or comparison to serum albumin).

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`49083`	Aspiration of peritoneal cavity (paracentesis), without imaging guidance	Specimen collection procedure that commonly precedes `82042` when ascitic fluid is sampled.
`32554`	Thoracentesis, therapeutic and diagnostic, with or without imaging guidance	Procedure to obtain pleural fluid for albumin quantitation in pleural effusion evaluation.
`62310`	Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnostic	Procedure to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for albumin measurement when indicated.
`81002`	Urinalysis, non-automated, without microscopy	Common complementary fluid/urine studies; not a substitute but often ordered alongside fluid protein tests.
`84156`	Albumin; serum (quantitative)	Serum albumin measurement used together with `82042` to calculate gradients (e.g., serum-ascites albumin gradient).

Related Modifiers

6 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
90	Modifier ‑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…
91	Modifier 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	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
207P00000X	Emergency Medicine Physician	An emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
208D00000X	General Practice Physician	A physician who specializes in the general practice of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.
2084P0800X	Psychiatry Physician	A Psychiatrist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, emotional disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, …
207K00000X	Allergy & Immunology Physician	An allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
207VE0102X	Reproductive Endocrinology Physician	An obstetrician/gynecologist who is capable of managing complex problems relating to reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
207Y00000X	Otolaryngology Physician	An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ea…
347C00000X	Private Vehicle	An individual paid to provide non-emergency transportation using their privately owned/leased vehicle.

Related Payer Policy Updates

Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

10 rows

Policy	Payer	Effective Date
Salivary Hormone Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Bone Turnover Markers Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and Monitoring	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage Criteria	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Thyroid Disease Testing	blue cross blue shield - louisiana	2026-09-15
Thyroid Disease Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium Testing	Blue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico	2026-09-04
Testosterone laboratory testing and management	Premera Bluecross	2026-09-04

CPT 82009: Qualitative Ketone Bodies Test

CPT-82010-QUANTITATIVE-KETONE-BODIES-ASSAY-SERUM-PLASMA

CPT 82010: Quantitative Ketone Bodies in Serum or Plasma

CPT-82013-ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-QUANTITATIVE-ASSAY

CPT 82013: Quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (Acetylhydrolase) Assay

CPT-82016-QUALITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINES-METABOLIC-SCREEN

CPT 82016: Qualitative Acylcarnitines, Plasma/Serum/Urine

CPT-82017-QUANTITATIVE-ACYLCARNITINE-ANALYSIS

CPT 82017: Quantitative Acylcarnitine Analysis

CPT-82024-QUANTITATIVE-CORTICOTROPIN-ACTH-ASSAY

CPT 82024: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Quantitative Assay

CPT-82030-QUANTITATIVE-CAMP-PLASMA-URINE-ASSAY

CPT 82030: Quantitative cyclic AMP assay on plasma or urine

CPT-82040-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-MEASUREMENT

CPT 82040: Quantitative Albumin Measurement

CPT-82043-URINE-ALBUMIN-QUANTITATION-KIDNEY-DISEASE

CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

CPT-82044-POINT-OF-CARE-URINE-MICROALBUMIN-SEMIQUANTITATIVE

CPT 82044: Semiquantitative Urine Albumin (Microalbumin) Strip Test

Showing 1–10 of 411

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

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OpenPayer

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

References

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

Sign up for cpt 82042 policy alerts

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

Sign up for cpt 82042 policy alerts

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT code 82042 represent and when is it used?

What types of specimens and collection workflows are associated with 82042?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 82042 and in what situations?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with ordering, performing, or interpreting 82042?

Which payers are included in the coverage analysis and what does the page say about reimbursement considerations?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT code 82042 represent and when is it used?

What types of specimens and collection workflows are associated with 82042?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 82042 and in what situations?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with ordering, performing, or interpreting 82042?

Which payers are included in the coverage analysis and what does the page say about reimbursement considerations?

References