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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesChemistry ProceduresCPT cpt-82668-erythropoietin-level-assay
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    CPT 82668: Erythropoietin Level Assay

    CPT code 82668 describes a laboratory assay measuring erythropoietin levels, a glycoprotein hormone produced by the kidney; this test is used in the evaluation of polycythemia vs. secondary causes and other disorders of red blood cell production. Service type: laboratory diagnostic test. Typical site of service: clinical laboratory or hospital outpatient lab where serum or plasma specimens are analyzed for hormonal quantification.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Salivary Hormone Testing, Bone Turnover Markers Testing, Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Testing.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 58-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a hemoglobin level of 18.5 g/dL is referred to hematology to evaluate erythrocytosis. The clinician orders an erythropoietin level to help distinguish primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) from secondary causes such as hypoxia-driven erythrocytosis or EPO-secreting tumors. Blood is drawn in the outpatient clinic, labeled, and sent to the hospital core laboratory. The laboratory performs quantitative immunoassay for erythropoietin and reports concentration with reference range. Results are reviewed by the ordering physician, who integrates the EPO level with complete blood count, oxygen saturation, and, if indicated, JAK2 mutation testing to determine diagnosis and next steps.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    80053Comprehensive metabolic panelPerformed to assess renal and hepatic function when evaluating secondary causes of abnormal erythropoiesis
    85025Complete blood count (CBC) with automated differentialProvides hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell indices that prompt EPO testing
    81202JAK2 V617F mutation analysisOrdered when suspicion for polycythemia vera exists; complements EPO level in diagnosis
    84166Immunoassay for prolactin; (example immunoassay CPT)Other hormonal assays may be ordered depending on differential; demonstrates laboratory immunoassay workflow
    84436Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)Evaluates thyroid disease as a potential contributor to hematologic abnormalities

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 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…
    90Modifier ‑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…
    91Modifier 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…
    52Modifier ‑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…
    53Modifier 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…
    59Modifier 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…
    76Modifier -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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207RH0000XHematology (Internal Medicine) PhysicianAn internist with additional training who specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen and lymph. This specialist treats conditions such as anemia, cl…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    367H00000XAnesthesiologist AssistantAn individual certified by the state to perform anesthesia services under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologist Assistants …
    1835C0205XCritical Care PharmacistA licensed pharmacist who has demonstrated specialized knowledge and skill in the delivery of patient care services by pharmacists, as integral member…
    213EG0000XDeactivated - Podiatrist

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C22.0Liver cell carcinoma
    C83.90Non-follicular (diffuse) lymphoma, unspecified, unspecified site
    D45Polycythemia vera
    D47.1Chronic myeloproliferative disease
    D50.0Iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss (chronic)
    D50.9Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified
    D53.0Protein deficiency anemia
    D56.9Thalassemia, unspecified
    D63.8Anemia in other chronic diseases classified elsewhere
    D64.9Anemia, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    5 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Parathyroid Hormone, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Testosterone — Coverage Criteria for Measurement and MonitoringOscar Health2026-10-01
    Thyroid Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-82009-KETONE-BODIES-QUALITATIVE-TEST

    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

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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