CPT 82533: Total Cortisol Measurement in Serum or Plasma

Commercial payers pay $42 on average nationally for this procedure.

CPT code 82533 reports a laboratory assay measuring total cortisol in a patient specimen; this is a clinical chemistry test typically performed as a serum or plasma cortisol measurement to evaluate adrenal function and steroid hormone status and is generally provided as a clinical laboratory service in an outpatient laboratory or hospital laboratory setting.

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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National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Across national commercial payers, BUCA’s average commercial rate of $42.2 sits near the mid-to-upper range of observed means and offers a useful reference for market-level pricing on CPT 82533. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the highest mean at $60.8 and also shows substantial spread between the 25th and 75th percentiles ($73.30 - $50.40 = $22.90), indicating wider variation in contract rates. Aetna and Cigna present lower means ($20.7 and $17.2 respectively) with Aetna’s interquartile spread of $21.40 - $12.00 = $9.40 and Cigna’s spread of $23.20 - $9.10 = $14.10, suggesting Cigna has more dispersion than Aetna despite similar medians.

UnitedHealth Group shows a relatively tight interquartile spread of $16.30 - $7.30 = $9.00, the narrowest among the listed payers, implying more consistent contracted rates around its median of $9.80. Overall dispersion varies materially: Blue Cross Blue Shield exhibits the widest IQR at $22.90, followed by Cigna at $14.10, while UnitedHealth Group and Aetna are the tightest at $9.00 and $9.40 respectively, with BUCA’s mean of $42.2 providing an average commercial benchmark.

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CPT 82533: Total Cortisol Measurement in Serum or Plasma

Commercial payers pay $42 on average nationally for this procedure.

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 82533 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 82533 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 48-year-old patient presents to an outpatient family medicine clinic with fatigue, weight loss, and intermittent lightheadedness after a recent work-related exposure to metal-containing dust. The clinician documents possible toxic exposure and orders laboratory evaluation to assess adrenal function and systemic effects. A venous blood specimen is collected and sent to the clinical medical laboratory for measurement of total cortisol using 82533. The laboratory performs specimen receipt, analytical testing (immunoassay or mass spectrometry), result verification, and reports serum total cortisol with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by the ordering clinician; low cortisol may prompt endocrine referral or additional testing (morning cortisol, ACTH, stimulation testing), while elevated cortisol may prompt evaluation for exogenous steroids, adrenal hyperfunction, or stress response. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic with testing performed in a Clinical Medical Laboratory. Common workflow steps: specimen collection, transport to laboratory, assay run under trained technologist supervision, result entry in the electronic medical record, clinician interpretation, and documentation of follow-up plan.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`82570`	Creatinine; other source	May be ordered concurrently to assess renal function when evaluating systemic toxic exposure or before contrast or certain treatments.
`82565`	Creatinine; blood	Often ordered alongside cortisol testing to evaluate baseline renal function in systemic toxicity workups.
`83018`	Heavy metal screen, blood	Ordered when toxic exposure to metals (e.g., cobalt) is suspected; complements endocrine and metabolic testing.
`83020`	Heavy metal screen, urine	Alternate specimen for heavy metal screening and monitoring of exposure; may be performed in the same clinical evaluation.

Related Modifiers

9 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…
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…
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…
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…
76	Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…	- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
291U00000X	Clinical Medical Laboratory	(1) A clinical laboratory is a facility for the biological, microbiological, serological, chemical, immunohematological, hematological, biophysical, c…
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
2278P3800X	Palliative/Hospice Certified Respiratory Therapist	A coordinated plan of care to help dying patients and their families handle the burden of terminal care. Effective secretion management and relief of…
2085D0003X	Diagnostic Neuroimaging (Radiology) Physician	A licensed physician, who has completed a residency program in Neurology, and who has additional training, experience, and competence in the standards…
207LA0401X	Addiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) Physician	An anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.
111NP0017X	Pediatric Chiropractor	The Pediatric Chiropractor is a chiropractor with specialized, advanced training and certification in the evaluation, care and management of health an…
207YX0901X	Otology & Neurotology Physician	An otolaryngologist who treats diseases of the ear and temporal bone, including disorders of hearing and balance. The additional training in otology a…

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
Thyroid Disease Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage Criteria	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 measurement (coverage criteria)	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-82042-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-NONBLOOD-FLUID

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

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

CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

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.

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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

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`82570`	Creatinine; other source	May be ordered concurrently to assess renal function when evaluating systemic toxic exposure or before contrast or certain treatments.
`82565`	Creatinine; blood	Often ordered alongside cortisol testing to evaluate baseline renal function in systemic toxicity workups.
`83018`	Heavy metal screen, blood	Ordered when toxic exposure to metals (e.g., cobalt) is suspected; complements endocrine and metabolic testing.
`83020`	Heavy metal screen, urine	Alternate specimen for heavy metal screening and monitoring of exposure; may be performed in the same clinical evaluation.

Related Modifiers

9 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…
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…
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…
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…
76	Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…	- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
77	Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…	- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
95	Modifier 95 indicates that a service was provided via synchronous, real‑time audio‑video telehealth rather than in‑person. Per CMS, AAPC and professional associations, append modifier 95 to claim…	- Use modifier 95 to indicate a service was furnished via synchronous, real‑time audiovisual telehealth (a live audio‑video conference between patient and provider) rather than in‑person. - Pair…

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
291U00000X	Clinical Medical Laboratory	(1) A clinical laboratory is a facility for the biological, microbiological, serological, chemical, immunohematological, hematological, biophysical, c…
207Q00000X	Family Medicine Physician	Family Medicine is the medical specialty which is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family. It is the specialty in breadt…
207R00000X	Internal Medicine Physician	A physician who provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults…
2278P3800X	Palliative/Hospice Certified Respiratory Therapist	A coordinated plan of care to help dying patients and their families handle the burden of terminal care. Effective secretion management and relief of…
2085D0003X	Diagnostic Neuroimaging (Radiology) Physician	A licensed physician, who has completed a residency program in Neurology, and who has additional training, experience, and competence in the standards…
207LA0401X	Addiction Medicine (Anesthesiology) Physician	An anesthesiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of addictions.
111NP0017X	Pediatric Chiropractor	The Pediatric Chiropractor is a chiropractor with specialized, advanced training and certification in the evaluation, care and management of health an…
207YX0901X	Otology & Neurotology Physician	An otolaryngologist who treats diseases of the ear and temporal bone, including disorders of hearing and balance. The additional training in otology a…

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
Thyroid Disease Testing	Oscar Health	2026-10-01
Diabetes Mellitus Testing — Coverage Criteria	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 measurement (coverage criteria)	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-82042-QUANTITATIVE-ALBUMIN-NONBLOOD-FLUID

CPT 82042: Albumin Quantitation in Non-Blood Body Fluid

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

CPT 82043: Urine Albumin Quantitative Assay

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 82533: Total Cortisol Measurement in Serum or Plasma

Sign up for cpt 82533 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

CPT 82533: Total Cortisol Measurement in Serum or Plasma

Sign up for cpt 82533 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

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 82533: Total Cortisol Measurement in Serum or Plasma

Sign up for cpt 82533 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

CPT 82533: Total Cortisol Measurement in Serum or Plasma

Sign up for cpt 82533 policy alerts

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 82533 represent?

In what clinical situations is 82533 commonly ordered?

Where is the test for CPT 82533 normally performed and what are typical workflow steps?

Which related CPT codes might be ordered alongside 82533 and why?

What diagnosis codes are associated with ordering CPT 82533 in exposure-related evaluations?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Payer Policy Updates

Related Codes

What does CPT 82533 represent?

In what clinical situations is 82533 commonly ordered?

Where is the test for CPT 82533 normally performed and what are typical workflow steps?

Which related CPT codes might be ordered alongside 82533 and why?

What diagnosis codes are associated with ordering CPT 82533 in exposure-related evaluations?

References