Summary & Overview
CPT 82163: Angiotensin II Serum/Plasma Assay
CPT code 82163 denotes a laboratory assay that measures angiotensin II levels in serum or plasma. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoactive peptide that plays a central role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance; measuring its concentration can inform evaluation of hypertensive disorders and disorders of the renin-angiotensin system. The code is relevant to clinicians managing complex hypertension, endocrine disorders, and certain cardiovascular conditions, and is performed in clinical and hospital laboratory settings nationwide.
Key payers in typical coverage discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage policies vary by payer and clinical indication, and reimbursement practices reflect laboratory pricing and test complexity.
Readers will find clinical context for the analyte, typical sites of service, and an overview of payer presence. The publication summarizes what the code represents, how it fits into diagnostic workflows for blood pressure–related conditions, and where to look for payer-specific coverage criteria. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82163 measures the concentration of angiotensin II in serum or plasma. The test quantifies a naturally occurring peptide hormone that influences blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.
Service type: Laboratory test — quantitative hormone assay
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 54-year-old patient with treatment-resistant hypertension and suspected secondary causes is referred by a cardiologist to the clinical laboratory for measurement of circulating angiotensin II. The patient presents after holding interfering medications per clinician instructions and having a fasting blood draw performed in an outpatient phlebotomy clinic. Serum is collected, processed, and sent to a specialty endocrinology laboratory where a trained laboratory analyst performs a quantitative assay for angiotensin II level to evaluate renin–angiotensin system activity and to help distinguish primary hypertension from renovascular disease or endocrine causes.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When separate billing for physician interpretation or oversight of the assay result is reported distinct from the technical lab component |
52 | Reduced services | When the laboratory performs a limited or incomplete assay method compared with standard protocol |