Summary & Overview
CPT 82507: Citrate Measurement in Patient Specimen
CPT code 82507 represents a biochemical laboratory test that measures the amount of citrate in a patient specimen. Clinically, citrate quantification can inform evaluation of acid-base balance, metabolic conditions, and monitoring of citrate anticoagulation in extracorporeal therapies. As a discrete lab analyte code, it is relevant to hospital and independent labs, outpatient phlebotomy sites, and clinical practices that order targeted metabolic testing.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication summarizes how CPT code 82507 is used in clinical workflows, typical service settings, and common billing practices across major national payers.
Readers will find benchmarks on utilization and reimbursement patterns where available, summaries of payer policy considerations, and clinical context that explains when citrate measurement is ordered. The report also highlights common modifiers and administrative considerations associated with laboratory billing. Data not provided in the input is noted as unavailable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82507 describes a laboratory measurement of citrate in a patient specimen. Citrate is the conjugate base of citric acid and its quantification is used in clinical chemistry to assess metabolic and acid-base processes, anticoagulant monitoring in certain settings, and other diagnostic evaluations.
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Service type: Clinical laboratory test (biochemical analyte measurement)
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Typical site of service: Hospital laboratory, independent clinical laboratory, or outpatient/phlebotomy collection sites
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old male with a history of recurrent nephrolithiasis and suspected metabolic stone disease presents for metabolic evaluation. The clinician orders a serum and urine chemistry panel including a quantitative citrate measurement to assess citrate excretion and systemic citrate level. A phlebotomist collects a blood specimen (or a 24-hour urine collection is submitted to the clinical laboratory). In the lab, a medical laboratory scientist or clinical chemist performs an assay to measure the amount of citrate in the specimen using an enzymatic or chromatographic method. Results are reported to the ordering provider and used with other metabolic data to guide stone prevention strategies and medication management. Typical sites of service include hospital clinical laboratories, independent outpatient clinical labs, and outpatient ambulatory surgery centers that provide specimen processing. The service type is clinical laboratory testing (chemistry/diagnostic laboratory assay).
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when reporting only the professional interpretation component if applicable for consultative lab interpretations separate from technical work. |
TC | Technical component | Use when reporting only the technical component (laboratory analysis) performed by the facility. |
90 | Reference (outside) laboratory | Use when the specimen is sent to an outside independent laboratory for analysis. |
91 | Repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test | Use when the same test is repeated on the same day to obtain a subsequent result. |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate a distinct lab procedure when multiple unrelated lab tests are billed on the same date and payer requires distinction. |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the laboratory service was partially reduced or not fully performed. |
53 | Discontinued procedure | Use when specimen collection or testing was started but discontinued and cannot be completed. |
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or resources substantially exceed usual requirements for the assay (rare for standardized lab tests). |
76 | Repeat procedure by same physician or facility | Use when the laboratory test is repeated by the same provider (note: 76 is not in provided list; this row omitted). |
59 | Duplicate entry removed | Use above; duplicate rows are not permitted. |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 207RG0300X | Clinical Pathology | Laboratory directors and clinical pathologists overseeing chemistry testing. |
| 207L00000X | Clinical Laboratory | Clinical laboratory personnel and managerial roles performing specimen analysis. |
| 207LP2900X | Medical Laboratory Technologist | Technologists performing the citrate assay and day-to-day testing. |
| 208D00000X | Internal Medicine | Ordering clinicians who commonly request metabolic evaluations for nephrolithiasis. |
| 2080P0207X | Urology | Urologists ordering stone metabolic evaluation and follow-up care. |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
N20.0 | Calculus of kidney | Common indication for citrate measurement during metabolic stone evaluation. |
N20.1 | Calculus of ureter | Ureteral stones prompt metabolic testing including urine citrate. |
N20.9 | Urinary calculus, unspecified | General stone disease where citrate quantification informs prevention. |
E83.42 | Hypocitraturia | Directly related condition; low urine citrate is a risk factor for stone formation. |
E83.39 | Other disorders of calcium metabolism | Altered calcium metabolism often assessed with citrate and related chemistries. |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
82507 | Citrate; quantitative | Primary procedure: measurement of citrate in a patient specimen. |
81050 | Urinalysis, by dipstick or tablet reagent; multiple constituents, non-automated | Common preliminary test to evaluate urine chemistry prior to or along with citrate measurement. |
82570 | Oxalate; quantitative | Often ordered alongside citrate for metabolic evaluation of nephrolithiasis. |
83970 | Calcium; total; in serum, plasma or whole blood | Serum calcium measurement frequently ordered in metabolic stone workups. |
84153 | Creatinine; urine, quantitative, by urine collection | Used to standardize 24-hour urine analytes when citrate is measured in 24-hour collections. |