Summary & Overview
CPT 82528: Corticosterone Assay for Adrenal Function
CPT code 82528 represents a laboratory assay for measuring corticosterone, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. This test is used in clinical evaluation of adrenal function and certain endocrine disorders; it has implications for diagnosis, monitoring, and differential assessment in endocrine practice. Nationally, CPT code 82528 is relevant to clinical laboratories, hospital labs, endocrinology practices, and payers that cover endocrine diagnostic testing.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of the clinical context for corticosterone testing, typical sites of service where the assay is performed, and payer coverage patterns and considerations where available. The publication outlines benchmarks and utilization context, coding and billing considerations tied to laboratory service lines, and operational implications for laboratories and clinicians ordering the test.
The content provides clinical context for when the assay is used, summarizes payer coverage landscape, and highlights areas where policy updates or documentation practices can affect claim adjudication. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82528 describes a laboratory measurement of corticosterone concentration in a patient specimen. Corticosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex and is measured to evaluate adrenal function and related endocrine disorders.
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Service type: Clinical laboratory endocrine assay
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Typical site of service: Hospital or independent clinical laboratory (blood or urine specimen collection and laboratory analysis)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult referred by an endocrinologist for serum corticosterone measurement to evaluate adrenal function when investigating suspected congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal adenoma, or adrenal insufficiency. The patient presents with symptoms such as unexplained hypertension, hypokalemia, virilization, abnormal cortisol/aldosterone ratios, or atypical steroid profiles. A fasting or non-fasting blood specimen is collected by venipuncture in an outpatient clinic, hospital lab, or reference laboratory. The specimen is transported to the clinical laboratory where a laboratory analyst performs the assay using immunoassay or mass spectrometry methods. Results are reported to the ordering clinician and incorporated into the endocrine workup, which may include correlation with serum cortisol, aldosterone, renin, ACTH stimulation testing, and imaging of the adrenal glands.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the physician interpretation of a lab test result if split billing applies |
TC | Technical component | When billing only the laboratory technical component (equipment, technician, reagents) |