Summary & Overview
CPT 82340: Quantitative Urine Calcium, Timed Specimen
CPT code 82340 denotes the technical laboratory assay for quantitative calcium measurement in a timed urine specimen. Nationally, this test supports diagnosis and management of disorders of calcium metabolism, evaluation of nephrolithiasis risk, and monitoring of metabolic treatment plans. It is commonly ordered by outpatient clinics, endocrinology and nephrology practices, and hospitals that collect timed urine specimens and send them to clinical laboratories.
Key payers included in the coverage context are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise view of what CPT code 82340 represents, typical clinical contexts for use, and the kinds of benchmarks and policy considerations that influence lab billing and coverage nationally. The publication provides a clinical and billing primer: service description, typical site of service, common modifiers (listed separately), and guidance on where to find additional billing details. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82340 describes a laboratory service in which a lab analyst performs the technical assay to determine the quantitative calcium concentration in a timed urine specimen. The procedure measures total urinary calcium over a specified collection interval to aid in evaluation of calcium metabolism, kidney stone risk, hypercalciuria, or related metabolic disorders.
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Service type: Quantitative urine biochemical analysis (laboratory test)
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Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory performing analytic testing on a collected timed urine specimen
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred for evaluation of hypercalcemia symptoms or metabolic bone disease. The clinician orders a timed urine calcium collection (usually 24-hour) to quantify urinary calcium excretion and help distinguish causes such as primary hyperparathyroidism, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, vitamin D intoxication, or renal calcium wasting. The patient receives written collection instructions, collects all urine over the specified interval into a provided container with preservative as indicated, and returns the specimen to the outpatient laboratory or hospital lab. In the laboratory, a histotechnologist or clinical laboratory scientist performs the technical analysis described by CPT 82340 to determine the quantitative calcium concentration in the timed urine specimen. Results are reported to the ordering provider for interpretation alongside serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D levels, and clinical findings. Typical sites of service include hospital outpatient laboratories, independent clinical laboratories, and ambulatory clinic labs performing specimen receipt and analysis.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional interpretation component if applicable (rare for automated lab analytes). |