Summary & Overview
CPT 82820: Hemoglobin–Oxygen Affinity Measurement
CPT code 82820 describes a laboratory measurement of hemoglobin–oxygen affinity from an arterial blood sample, a specialized test that evaluates how readily hemoglobin binds oxygen and thus approximates tissue oxygen delivery. Nationally, this code is relevant for inpatient and outpatient hospitals and clinical laboratories that manage patients with respiratory, hematologic, or critical care needs where oxygen transport dynamics are clinically important. Key payers in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will learn what CPT code 82820 represents, the clinical context for ordering the test, and which settings typically perform it. The publication provides benchmarks and payer coverage considerations, outlines common billing modifiers and related administrative elements, and summarizes clinical scenarios where the test informs care. Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes is noted as such in the detailed sections. The content is intended to support billing, coding, and policy teams in understanding the role and administrative handling of CPT code 82820 across major national payers.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 82820 measures hemoglobin–oxygen affinity on an arterial blood sample. The test determines the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, which closely approximates oxygen delivery to the tissues. This is a laboratory diagnostic procedure performed on arterial blood to assess oxygen binding characteristics of hemoglobin.
-
Service type: Laboratory diagnostic test
-
Typical site of service: Clinical laboratory or hospital laboratory performing arterial blood gas and related hemoglobin testing
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the hospital with progressive dyspnea and hypoxemia despite supplemental oxygen. The clinical team obtains an arterial blood gas and an arterial blood sample is sent to the clinical laboratory for measurement of hemoglobin–oxygen affinity to assess oxygen delivery to tissues. The laboratory analyst performs 82820 using a blood sample collected from the radial artery; results are reported to the treating pulmonologist and critical care team to aid assessment of hemoglobin oxygen binding characteristics and to inform interpretation of oxygenation and perfusion status. Typical workflow: arterial sample collection at bedside, prompt transport to the lab, analysis on specialized co-oximetry/hemoximeter instrumentation, verification by laboratory technologist, result entry into the electronic medical record, and clinical review by ordering provider.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the professional interpretation/reporting portion if split billing applies |
52 |